Public workers rap Govt

over salaries.
The Herald was yesterday inundated with phone calls from workers in different parts of the country who wanted to get Government’s official position on the issue of salary increments.

Confusion surrounds the issue of civil servants salaries with Government officials in the inclusive Government issuing different statements on the matter.
With some senior Government officials and state negotiators saying Government had agreed to award its workers an all-inclusive salary of US$253 effective this month, Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai are singing a different tune.

Minister Mukonoweshuro yesterday was adamant that Apex Council does not have the authority to announce civil servants salaries and Government had not yet given workers anything.
He accused Apex Council, a body that brings civil servants unions together of “leaking” the figures to the press while negotiations were still on going.
Minister Mukonoweshuro said he was yet to receive a report of Friday’s meeting from the independent chairperson of the National Joint Negotiating Council.

“It is from this that I will take the recommendations to Cabinet and from there, Government through the responsible minister would announce if there is anything.
“Apex has no authority to do that and as far as we are concerned, negotiations are still going on,” he said.
PM Tsvangirai recently said he read about the increment in the papers, claiming that Cabinet had not agreed on the figures.

The Premier also described the increment as “not adequate”, a development which riled civil servants who challenged him to offer them what he thought was enough for a broke Government.
NJNC chairperson Dr Nelson Sambureni yesterday said everything was done procedurally.

“An agreement was reached between the concerned parties and they signed the agreement. I notified the Minister (Mukonoweshuro) in writing on Monday and we both have those copies including the minister,” he said.

However, civil servants said the issue of salaries had ceased to be a labour matter, but a battle between Zanu-PF and the MDC-T.
They said they were now confused as to who to believe as the parties involved were giving them different statements.

“As far as we are concerned, it’s now a battle of political parties and it has stopped to be a mater of workers.
“How can we have one person saying there is money and then you wake up tomorrow and hear the other one saying there is no money.

“We are talking of one Government here. We are no longer believing our unions and we are only waiting for the pay day,” said Mr Boysen Mugombi who phoned from Gutu.
Another worker from Harare said: “The one who is in charge brushes all these opposing and confusing forces. I don’t think anyone is putting an effort at work following this salary circus,” he said.

Others said political issues should be separated from “bread and butter” issues.
“This is not a matter of Zanu-PF or MDC-T but one of our stomachs. We just call upon all concerned parties to put politics aside, and give us what we deserve,” said Mr Arnold Matikasi from Mutoko.

Civil servants unions, however, insist that last Friday’s agreement was “binding”.
Zimta chief executive, Mr Sifiso Ndlovu, yesterday said the issue of salary negotiations was over and they were unleashing “our energy to quality service delivery”.

“Minister Mukonoweshuro should be reminded that he said he would announce the latest position in two weeks time and those two weeks have lapsed – what is he telling the nation now?
“There are so many pressing issues and we don’t need to be dragged back by certain individuals,” he said.

Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe chief executive, Mr Manuel Nyawo, said some Government officials were politicking at the expense of the workers.
“We no longer listen to what they say. The head of everything (President Mugabe) gave his directive and we want that fulfilled.

“Let’s talk about putting food on the table not this politicking we are getting everyday,” he said.
Public Service Association executive secretary Mr Emmanuel Tichareva added: “Our pay day is coming and we signed what Government agreed and that’s what we are expecting.”