Govt concerned with civil servants’ plight

Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT says it is aware of civil servants’ salary concerns and is committed to addressing them.
Speaking during a tour of schools in his Chegutu East constituency Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu blamed Government’s failure to pay its workers reasonable salaries on the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
“President Mugabe is on record saying he is not happy with the remuneration of civil servants. What the President said should be implemented.
“Government is deliberating on the issue to make sure that the salary levels of all civil servants are reasonable,” he said.
Teachers at Moleli, Musengezi, Dombwe and Marshall Hartley Schools had among other problems complained about poor remuneration.
The Minister said Zimbabwe was endowed with precious minerals but was failing to sell them because the country’s detractors were throwing spanners along the way.
“Sanctions are there and meant to destroy the country’s economy and force regime change.
“We believe in total independence but the British and Americans do not like it,” he said.
Among other problems aired by teachers from the schools he visited were lack of proper accommodation, dilapidated science laboratories, lack of transport, computers, textbooks, water problems and incentives.
Minister Shamu said conditions for teachers based in rural areas should be improved.
This, he said, could be done through provision of good housing units, better communication systems and electricity.
“This is a critical issue which requires the collective effort of Government, parents and the corporate world.
“Although the current working conditions are not ideal, teachers have remained focused on discharging their critical duty.
“The situation has been worsened by the illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country by Britain, the United States and their western allies. We pay tribute to you for your resilience, commitment to national duty and patriotism,” he said.
Government, Minister Shamu said, was deeply concerned about the escalating cost of education, which has the potential to undermine Zimbabwe’s proud record as Africa’s most literate society.
“Such exorbitant fees and levies also compromise Government’s ability to increase the number of disadvantaged children who receive assistance in payment of fees,” he said.
The Minister also had an opportunity to tour the US$800 000 Musengezi-Makwiro Road Project. The road is being expanded and rehabilitated.
The contractor Mr Dexter Nduna of Barden Enterprises said the road would link the Musengezi community with other areas, which include Chegutu.
“The road would give value especially to the farming community which was facing difficulties in transporting their produce to the market,” he said.