Bonus not negotiable: Civil servants’ unions

bonuses.
Minister Biti on Thursday caused panic within the civil service when he said Government was failing to raise funds to pay civil servants bonuses because of depressed revenue inflows.
There are about 235 000 civil servants in the country who usually get their bonuses between November and December every year. Apex Council chairperson Mr David Dzatsunga yesterday said civil servants were anxiously waiting for the bonuses since they did not get any salary increment this year.
“We can negotiate anything with them not an annual bonus. It is quite mischievous for one to cause despondence among the workers,” he said.
“The doubts over the bonuses have caused restlessness among the workers, yet schools open on Tuesday.”
Mr Dzatsunga, who is also College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe president, said the workers would get clarification from Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga, whom they were expecting to meet next week.
“If she (Matibenga) is a responsible minister by the time we meet her over an update on salary negotiations next week, she should be in a position to give us clarity and assurance that everything is in order,” he said.
Minister Biti said he had since secured a meeting with his South African counterpart Pravin Gordhan to seek US$100 million budgetary support. Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said if Government failed to pay them annual bonuses, it would be a “double blow” since there has been no salary increment this year. This would be a sign of irresponsibility and great betrayal on the part of Government, particularly the Finance Ministry,” he said.
“He should turn every stone to cater for that and refrain from sending scary messages.”
Mr Ndlovu said Minister Biti’s statements were aimed at blocking them from talking about salary increment.
“We do not buy his line because he wants to portray himself as someone in a difficult situation. That will not stop us from bargaining for better working conditions,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said teachers should report for duty when schools open.
“People should not panic on the basis of a statement not yet validated and only spoken by a single officer in Government. Teachers should report for duty when the third term begins,” he said.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Mr Takavafira Zhou said they were inundated with calls from their members yesterday, who needed clarity on bonuses.
“It means people are panicking. If they do not pay us that would be the greatest insult to the hardworking civil servants. As for school opening, people should report for work then we mobilise from there.”
Minister Biti said Government had missed its monthly revenue collection targets by an average US$30 million since January. He said Government had other pressing financial demands, which include the referendum and preparations for the 2012/2013 agricultural season. The least-paid Government worker gets US$296 per month and efforts to get a salary increment have been fruitless.