Public urged to use SARS online services amid wage strike

• Published date: 26 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers to avoid coming to its offices amid industrial action by staff over wage demands.

On the first day of the strike on Wednesday, SARS said customs operations at ports of entry, especially borders, were without major interruptions.

In a statement, the revenue collector said all customs border posts are operational with contingencies in place mitigating the impact of the industrial action.

Due to the wide range of online services, disruption to the operations was minimal, it said.

The revenue service will continue to monitor developments over the next few days.

'Our website will continually be updated to advise the public on how to engage with SARS to fulfil their required obligations.

'SARS Customs will continue to rely on the support of other government agencies across all border posts, especially from the South African Police to ensure that there is continued operation,' reads the statement.

On the strike, SARS said organised labour had opted to embark on industrial action despite concerted efforts by SARS to avert the strike.

SARS believes that its offer, to which it has received no response, is the best under the prevailing socio-economic challenges facing the country. 'SARS is also limited by the resources available to it from the funding grant,' the revenue collector said.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said he understood and empathised with the financial challenges faced by SARS employees and the general public.

He said: 'In fact, all South Africans, especially millions who are unemployed, suffer the impact of the current economic climate. SARS is a microcosm of the broader society and the sentiment of discontent is understandable, especially when they have a sense that the current situation is unlikely to change in the short term.

'Employees do not willingly withhold their labour because that in itself has a financial impact on them under already tough times. One has to understand though, that when workers feel frustrated they feel that by going on strike is the last resort for them to be heard.'

He said SARS recognised the constitutional right of workers to strike and express themselves within the provisions of the law.

'The...