Pretoria - Government has called for calm amid the ongoing national public sector strike.
Cosatu-affiliated public servants and teachers unions downed tools nine days ago demanding better wages and an increase in housing allowance. More unions have said they plan to embark on solidarity strikes.
Various marches have been planned around the country for today.
On Wednesday, the Gauteng Department of Education announced it would postpone the matric preliminary exams for two weeks to allow for learners to catch up on lost time during the strike. The preliminary exam mark counts towards the final year mark.
"Government appeals for calm and responsibility, especially at a time our youth are supposed to be preparing for examinations. We appeal to the public servants who are on strike to act responsibly and allow the country's leaders to find a solution to the impasse," said Themba Maseko in a statement.
Government was extremely concerned about the inflammatory nature of some statements by a number of roleplayers, including trade union leaders, on the public sector strike. "These statements, including the threat to shut down the economy, are unhelpful, unnecessary and irresponsible. Such statements serve to fuel further violence and intimidation," he said.
Government has also condemned the violence that has characterised the strike.
Maseko said the nation was witnessing "unprecedented and reprehensible forms of violence, intimidation and unacceptable" behavior such as the assault of learners by adults, intimidation of volunteers, and the prevention of citizens from accessing urgently needed medical care.
"Everyone must condemn the violent behaviour. Government expects union leaders to also condemn the violence and to encourage their members to protest peacefully. No amount of frustration can ever justify intimidation of society by striking workers," he said.
Government has further encouraged all citizens to continue to volunteer their services so that the sick can get treatment and the youth can learn. Numerous South Africans heeded the call to volunteer at those hospitals and clinics crippled by the strike, among them ministers and MECs.
Maseko said law enforcement agencies would continue to protect the volunteers and ensure that those who break the laws of the country are held accountable.
"Government will not stand by while citizens are subjected to violence and intimidation," he added.
Government, Maseko said, remains committed and open to talks with the unions with a view to finding a lasting solution to the wage dispute. Both government and union leaders have a responsibility to the nation to resolve the strike through negotiations.
"We call on the unions to return to the negotiation table as soon as possible. The fact that union demands are not affordable at this stage is no reason to resort to 'war talk' or to abandon talks.
"Government reiterates that the settlement offer is fair and reasonable in view of the current economic climate and the broad range of challenges facing the nation," he said. These challenges include making the country safe, improving the health and education of our citizens, employment of more nurses, teachers and police.
"Meeting the union demands today will be at the expense of other national challenges. For example, meeting teacher wage demands today could mean no textbooks for learners tomorrow."
Government's wage offer includes a 7 percent salary increment and a R700 housing allowance. In addition to the salary increase and the increased housing allowance, more than 90 percent of employees are awarded an average annual pay progression of 1.5 percent.
Maseko added that workers in the essential services do not have the right to withdraw their labour and that steps would be taken to ensure that essential services workers do not participate in the strike.
