Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo and Amos Mpofu, Chronicle Writers
CIVIL servants in the security and health sectors started receiving part of their annual bonus this week as the Government honours its promise to give them the 13th cheque with other sectors expected to be paid the same next week.
Government has assured its workers of the annual bonus as it recognises the importance role public sector workers play in the development of the country and provision of key services.
This month civil servants will receive the first instalment of 50 percent, which is being paid together with November salaries and the remainder will be paid in December.
The split is meant to ease pressure on the banking system and minimise long queues.
Payments started with workers in security services on Thursday and health sector employees yesterday to be followed by the education sector and the rest of the civil service.
Apex Council secretary-general, Mr David Dzatsunga, confirmed the development and expressed gratitude to Government but said more should be done to enhance workers welfare.
“Yes, civil servants started receiving their bonuses, the 50 percent as mentioned by the Government. Uniformed forces got theirs today and the next will be education and the last will be the rest of the civil servants,” he said.
“We appreciate that civil servants got their bonuses but there is a lot that need to be done to improve their welfare.
“Come next year we will continue to engage the Government so that we get to the US$840 that we want.”
Traditional leaders and their messengers are also expected to receive their annual bonuses.
A snap survey conducted by Chronicle yesterday revealed that the civil servants have started to shop and were already looking for foreign currency from the banks.
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