The Social Development Department and unions have agreed to implement the occupation specific dispensation (OSD), backdated to April 1, 2008.

An agreement was signed to put the OSD into effect for all social service professions and occupations on June 4, read a joint statement by labour and the government, issued on Wednesday.

"We congratulate all role players and thank the negotiators for their tireless efforts in reaching this historic agreement," Social Development Minister Edna Molewa said in the statement.

The agreement was applicable to social workers, probation officers and assistant probation officers, community development practitioners and child and youth care workers.

"We trust that the agreement will be implemented fully and correctly," said labour chairperson at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president, S'dumo Dlamini.

The OSD makes provision for a set of salary grades that allow for progression along a career path, speedy progress along this path. It also recognises the experience of social service professionals.

Molewa said: "The implementation of this agreement will enable the sector to attract and retain the current skills force within the public service. It will also bring about uniformity in the remuneration of professionals.

"... We will ensure that this agreement is implemented correctly without any further delays."

This would happen in July.

Meanwhile, other government departments and unions were meeting to discuss the same issue at the public service's bargaining council on Wednesday.

Cosatu spokesperson Sifiso Dlamini earlier said the meeting started at 13:00.

The OSD was agreed upon in September 2007 following a crippling public workers' strike, but had not yet been implemented. This had resulted in an outcry by unions like the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and Cosatu.

Both Popcru and Cosatu have threatened strikes.

Public sector doctors recently embarked on a strike over the OSD.

Dlamini said between two and four negotiators from Cosatu as well as other trade unions would be represented at the meeting.

He could not immediately be reached for further comment.