ALERT: Home Affairs services hard-hit due to insufficient staff

Source: , 24/06/2017

Cape Town - The Department of Home Affairs confirms that over 90% of
DHA offices are closed on Saturday due to insufficient staff numbers
which Home Affairs says is not inline with the recent settlement
agreement with the Unions.


This comes after the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) and
the Public Servants Association (PSA) threatened to down tools due to
working conditions at Home Affairs.


The DHA issued a statement apologising to the public for the
inconvenience caused saying it is disappointed by these developments
as they are not in line with the spirit of the agreement and the
resolutions of discussions that took place up to Friday 23 June.


The DHA has confirmed to Traveller24 the incapacity is not expected to
affect passport control for those travelling internationally - but
specifically front offices facilitating ID Passport and birth
registrations as well as collections including visas.


This comes ahead of one of our busiest periods in the year - the
school winter holidays starting at the end of June.


Home Affairs Director-General Mkuseli Apleni says the dispute relates
to ongoing issues within the department also relating to front offices
working hours implemented in 2015.


The unions were determined to register a strike if demands are not
worked out favourably for its


The strike planned for Monday 19 June was called off following the
DHAs withdrawal of measures to force its staff to work on Saturdays
without paying them overtime but offering them a specified timetable
of time off in lieu instead.


It has taken months of negotiation to resolve issues ongoing issues
within the department relating to front offices weekend working hours
implemented in 2015 and the restructuring of time off in lieu instead
of paid overtime.


Following the DHAs withdrawal of the circular introducing the shift
system it now has 10 days to review the process.


The Department is appealing to the union leadership to prioritise
resolving this matter urgently as agreed with the unions during
negotiations. The Public Service Commission the unions and the
Department believe quality service delivery to our people is of utmost
importance in line with our values says the Department.


We are hopeful this matter will be resolved amicably soon because the
public deserves a better service from all of us adds the Department.