An 8% across the board salary increase for public office bearers has been recommended, the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Officer Bearers said on Thursday.

The commission had considered responses from Cabinet ministers and the chief justice, said its chairperson Judge Willie Seriti.

The 8% increase, if approved by Parliament, will result in President Jacob Zuma receiving an annual salary of R2 275 802, up from R2 107 224, and will be backdated to April 1, 2009.

Seriti said the proposal had been supported by all ministers except Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

"He did not support it, but I cannot speculate and tell you why not," said Seriti.

Now that the recommendations have been made to Parliament, it will be up to Zuma to decide on the adjustments for other public office bearers.

If the recommendation by the commission is taken to heart, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will receive an annual increase from R1 896 546 to R2 048 270.

Ministers could be adjusted from R1 612 053 to R1 741 017 while deputy ministers could receive R1 433 765 from last years annual remuneration of R1 327 560.

Seriti said numerous factors had been taken into account when making the recommendation.

These included a link between labour costs and inflation, the global economic downturn resulting in slow revenue growth and contracted gross domestic products as well as an expected decline in revenue collections.