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Felex Share Herald Reporter
Government yesterday appealed to unions representing civil servants to shun divisions and instead come to the negotiating table united to review salaries and improve working conditions. Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche, in a statement said that it was impossible for Government to engage the workers in salary negotiations as their representatives were not in agreement.
He said union leaders were dishonest as they continued to submit different lists of negotiators.
“The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has noted that lately the media has not been giving a fair view of the issue of civil service negotiations,” said Minister Goche.
“The perception portrayed is that Government is reneging on its commitment to the negotiating process.”
Minister Goche said on October 3, he met the heads of staff associations and urged them to properly constitute the Apex Council, the body that represents civil servants in salary negotiations, for the discussions to start.
Government negotiators that the minister appointed in terms of Section 3(2)(a) of the Constitution were ready for negotiations.
According to Statutory Instrument 141 of 1997, civil service unions are supposed to submit names of nine representatives to the National Joint Negotiating Council.
“However, since that meeting there has not been any progress in terms of workers’ representation,” Minister Goche said.
“During the meeting with the Minister, the workers promised to submit an agreed list of negotiators as a matter of urgency.
In this regard on October 22 the workers met and produced a list of negotiators which was submitted to the Minister.”
Minister Goche said the following day, the College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe president Mr David Dzatsunga submitted another list purporting to represent the Apex Council.
Online Reporter