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Herald Reporter—
Negotiations for a salary increment between Government workers and their employer will start on Monday. Also on the table will be how to implement non-monetary incentives, especially for teachers at Government schools. This came out of a meeting that civil servants’ unions had with Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche in Harare yesterday.
Minister Goche convened the meeting to confirm if all the 12 unions were in agreement with the nine negotiators the workers seconded to the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
The workers had been squabbling on who to second to the NJNC as each of the 12 unions wanted a seat, while only nine are available at law.
The workers only agreed on the list on Wednesday after being given two ultimatums – the first of which they missed – in one week by Government.
“The minister confirmed receiving our list and said negotiations should start on Monday for us to see what we will have for next year in terms of salaries and other non-monetary incentives,” said Teachers Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo. He (Minister Goche) said Government was committed to improving the workers’ welfare, hence the need for negotiations to begin.”
President Mugabe on Wednesday said the negotiations should yield positive results as Government was committed to improving the conditions of service of its employees.
The recent Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi also resolved that the State should peg minimum wages for its workers to the poverty datum line, which stands at US$540, at least according to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.
The lowest paid Government employee is getting US$297.
Mr Nyawo said Minister Goche promised non-monetary incentives for them.
“He said affordable houses should be availed to the workers and to this effect Government had tasked NSSA to work on modalities on how this would be possible,” he said.
“He said local authorities countrywide would be engaged and we are at the moment happy with this goodwill.”
Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said they would go to the negotiations with an open mind.
“Minister Goche said dialogue, if possible should start on Monday and he has told us that Government is going to review our salaries, but of course within the capacity of the economy,” he said.
“He was genuine throughout and what he said is promising and we will give him the benefit of doubt and see how things will come out. On the issue of monetary incentives, the issue of how civil servants can have access to houses was topical and we hope this will be done.”
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