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“As Apex, we have been impressed by the participation of the workers. We hope this will motivate us to keep fighting for a better life for the public servant,” she said.
“Workers should report for duty on Monday and after the Tuesday meeting we will advise the way forward. The outcome of the meeting is going to influence the way forward.”
Civil servants on Wednesday rejected Government’s offer to increase salaries by between US$52 and US$84 describing it as “peanuts.”
The workers, who are demanding a minimum salary of US$538, were presented with a resource envelope of US$240 million to be used in improving their salaries and working conditions this year.
The Government employs about 236 000 workers.
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Teachers Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo and Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe claimed the strike ended on a low note because some headmasters were victimising teachers.
“This is the type of people benefiting from incentives while the ordinary teacher suffers. We are warning such heads against their behaviour,” Mr Nyawo said.
He said the response from the rural areas was encouraging.
“Rural teachers showed that they are not getting anything and most of them participated fully in the strike and this is a sign that they need a decent salary,” he said.
Mr Majongwe added: “We are leaving no stone unturned and this week we showed Government that we are serious when it comes to demanding what we deserve. It is disheartening to see some
people in the same Government with us living large while the rest of the civil servants wallow in poverty. Something has to be done for the ordinary worker.”
Zanu-PF Harare province secretary for production and labour Cde Charles Dzawo said civil servants deserved a decent pay rise.
He said the cost of living had “skyrocketed” to unaffordable levels and many civil servants were suffering.
“As a party we do feel that the negotiators in Government are paying a lip service to the plight of the civil servants.
“We call upon ministers Tendai Biti and Lucia Matibenga to walk the talk of their leader Morgan Tsvangirai who promised huge amounts to the workers after being sworn in as the Prime Minister of the inclusive Government,” Cde Dzawo said.
Online Reporter