adminThe development comes at a time when the National Joint Negotiating Committee, which comprises representatives of the civil servants and the Government are engaged in talks to review civil servants salaries.
The Government traditionally reviews salaries of its workers in June with a new scale being awarded in July.
Civil servants have in the past been pushing for a salary increase in line with the Poverty Datum Line pegged at $567.
In January, civil servants went on a week-long strike, which was called off after the Government announced that it had reviewed their housing and transport allowances while basic salaries remained unchanged.
Apex Council rejected the move and now waits for a new salary package next month.
In an interview after the presentation of 30 vehicles by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association to its 10 provinces at Harare Sports Club on Friday, the president of Apex Council, Mrs Tendai Chikowore, said negotiations with the Government had already started with a view to reaching an agreement next month.
In the national Joint Negotiating Committee, Mrs Chikowore represents civil servants while Mr Prince Mupazviriwo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, represents the employer and Dr Nelson Sambureni chairs the team as a neutral body.
“We have been working tirelessly in the past two weeks as we resumed talks. Last time we appealed to President Mugabe after finding no joy in our engagement with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, but we understood that as Head of State, the President needed time to consult because of his tight schedule,” said Mrs Chikowore.
“We appreciated that we had to follow it up with the President’s Chief Secretary and we are doing the negotiations through our leaders. The technical team was set up on the recommendation of the Government negotiator that a team comprising all concerned parties was required.”
Mrs Chikowore said since the last salary increase award, there have been two parallel processes, one by the technical committee and the other an appeal to President Mugabe.
She said civil servants expected a new salary package before July to put a smile on thousands of workers who have braved the poor and unfavourable conditions.
“Naturally, we get a salary increase on the 1st of July every year and before that period we should see a position being committed to.
“We do not want a situation whereby people would be forced into a last minute rush when it is time for them to get paid and there is no money in the bank.
“We want to categorically state that we will not accept a situation whereby we are told there is no money,” said Mrs Chikowore.
In the past, civil servants have pinned their hopes for salary increases on revenue inflows from Marange Diamonds fields in Manicaland.
Minister of Finance Tendai Biti has said there was a low revenue inflow into Government coffers for the Treasury to award the public service salary increases in line with PDL.
Addressing scores of Bulawayo residents at a business forum organised by Men’s Fellowship, an association of the Brethren In Christ Church In Lobengula on Saturday, the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere said the bulk of diamonds from Marange were funding civil servants salaries.
Civil servants earn between $296 and $508 per month since February this year, depending on one’s grade.
Online Reporter