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Focus is reportedly shifting from labour to political issues.
Civil servants had given Government up to yesterday to agree to their demand of a poverty datum line-based salary of at least US$500, while the State had proposed a marginal increment from current average salaries of
around US$200. A make-or-break meeting between the two sides that some union representatives had said was scheduled for Harare yesterday did not take place and is said to have been moved to today.
However, it looks like some of the union representatives are no longer interested in the meetings — with some saying they are useless while others are accusing their colleagues of colluding with the employer.
The Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe yesterday wrote to President Mugabe; Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai; Deputy PM Arthur Mutambara; Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart and fellow unionists declaring that its members would go on strike starting today.
TUZ chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo said: “The US$200 being offered by Government is just meaningless and Finance Minister Tendai Biti and his Government colleagues must realise that we are really angered by a useless US$9 increment.
“We are striking against preferential treatment of civil servants by Government. For instance, the same Government which is refusing to increase our salaries has awarded university lecturers a hefty increment of US$1 880.”
He accused the Zimbabwe Teachers Association of siding with Government and operating like a State “mouthpiece” by trying to call off the strike.
Progressive Teacher Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe yesterday also said they had resolved to strike. “There is a strong feeling among our members that we should down tools because Government is not being sincere,” he said.
Representatives of Zimta and the Public Service Association could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The Zimbabwe Federations of Trade Unions called for the resumption of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum to expeditiously deal with civil servants’ plight.
The TNF brings together Government, business and labour.
ZFTU secretary-general Mr Kennias Shamuyarira said, “There is need for a strong tripartite negotiating forum in Zimbabwe and this is the only way we can resolve our problems such as the grievances of civil servants.”
Mr Shamuyarira said social dialogue was working in some Sadc countries such as Zambia, South Africa and Namibia.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions acting information officer Mr Last Chara-buka said: “The TNF technical committees are always meeting and once they have finished and resolved the sticking issues then a briefing with the media is convened.”
However, Mr Shamuyarira blasted the ZCTU for failing to advance the workers’ agenda, accusing it of spending too much time on Western-sponsored political efforts.-The Herald
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