ICASA Faces Nationwide Strike by Nehawu over Wage Dispute

In escalating industrial action that could potentially disrupt operations of South Africa's Independent Communications Authority (ICASA), hundreds of members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHWAU), have initiated a nationwide strike.

The union members are making a firm demand for an 8% wage increase, a stark contrast to the 4.4% that ICASA, the country's communications regulator, is reportedly offering.

Nehawu Branch Secretary, Kabelo Thelele has conveyed the extent of the situation, stating that the union claims to have 200 of the 300 employees at ICASA amongst its members. This industrial action will lead to a shutdown of ICASA’s offices across the Republic until further notice.

Following breakdowns in wage negotiations, the union had given ICASA a seven-day strike notice last week. Nehawu has stated that its members have had to bear with "below inflation" increments for the past three years, supporting their cause for a more robust wage hike.

Introducing another dimension to the conflict, the union accuses ICASA management of suspending the work-from-home policy unilaterally. This move allegedly forced workers to return to office immediately, which the union perceives as an attempt to enforce the 'No work, No pay' principle by monitoring and victimising workers.

The situation at ICASA is currently volatile, with the ongoing strike underlining the growing tensions between the parties involved.