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intervened and made it clear strikers had to return to work while salary negotiations continue.
A crisis meeting to resolve the impasse convened by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo last Friday agreed there was need to restore services while salary negotiations continue.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the two workers’ unions, town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi, three councillors, chairman of the Employment Council for Harare Municipal Undertaking Mr Rodgers Matsikidze and other ministry officials.
Council workers went on strike last Friday demanding improved salaries and better working conditions.
The job action grounded services in nearly all critical departments.
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The workers were planning a demonstration outside Town House today.
Government has also set up a team to facilitate negotiations between management and the workers.
Secretary for Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Mr Killian Mupingo confirmed the instructions.
“All parties have committed themselves to ensuring that a balance is maintained for the benefit of the residents and ratepayers and the community of Harare,” he said.
Harare Municipal Workers’ Union chairman Cosmas Bungu and Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers’ Union spokesperson Mr Tafirei Murambatsvina said they had agreed to give dialogue a chance.
“There will be a meeting on Monday (today) and employees are advised to report for duty to allow negotiations to take place. Members would be advised of the outcome through trade union structures,” they said.
The workers are demanding an end to “secretive” payrolls and incentives to senior managers they claim were bleeding council at the expense of their welfare and service delivery.
The strike disrupted most council operations, with the health department, refuse collection and cleaning services being the most affected.
The workers got an arbitral award of a 16 percent salary increment effective January this year, but council unilaterally decided to give each worker a top-up of US$20.
The least-paid council worker in grade 16 now earns US$150 after the US$20 adjustment.
This grade includes cleaners and all general staff.
Apart from failing to increase workers’ salaries, council has also come under fire from residents for poor service delivery despite the high revenue it collects.
Council gets revenue from beerhalls, clinics, commercial and residential properties.
Most residents in high-density areas rely on council clinics and maternity facilities.
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