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Pamela Shumba / Michell Zvanyanya, Chronicle Reporters
GOVERNMENT and civil servants are tomorrow expected to go back to the negotiating table, with the Apex Council — an umbrella body for civil servants unions — expecting a monthly salary of not less than $4 750 for the least paid worker.
This comes as Government is understood to be preparing a “meaningful offer” for civil servants as it seeks to address the challenges they face that include high prices of goods and services.
In an interview yesterday, Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander confirmed that the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) would sit tomorrow to discuss a salary adjustment.
She said the Apex Council has agreed on expectations they will present to Government as requested by civil servants. “The Government has written to the Apex Council inviting us for a meeting on Friday. The main issue on the agenda is reviewing civil servants’ salaries. As the Apex Council we’re expecting a monthly salary of not less than $4 750 for the least paid worker.
“Salaries continue to be eroded by the prevailing economic situation. We therefore expect the Government to be realistic and pay its workers meaningful salaries,” said Mrs Alexander.
She said Government should award a living wage that is informed by the interbank rate for the civil servants to survive.
The NJNC meeting comes at a time when the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) yesterday said salaries for its members were continuously being eroded by inflation.
Zimta president, Mr Richard Gundane, said cases of resignations and absenteeism have already started creeping into the education system. “So far resignations and absenteeism attributed to incapacitation have started affecting the education system,” said Mr Gundane.
He urged Government to prioritise teachers’ remuneration to avert a crisis during the examination period that begins in October. In a bid to improve the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, Government set aside $63 million as a cushion allowance at the start of the year. On April 1, Government effected a $400 million “cost of living adjustment” to cushion its employees.
Last month, Government implemented another once off cushioning allowance which saw civil servants getting $400 on top of their monthly salaries. Apart from a cushioning allowance, Government also introduced measures aimed at addressing “pain points”, especially the introduction of Zupco buses at substantially low fares. Further, there are plans to find a lasting solution to the high medical drug costs through a deal with the Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS).— @pamelashumba1/@michellzvanyanyan2
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