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Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
TEACHERS have expressed joy after the government finally honoured its promise to give them the 13th cheque for 2014.
The government staggered the payment of bonuses last year owing to cash flow challenges.
Only members of the uniformed forces were paid their bonuses last year leaving the bulk of the civil servants a disgruntled lot.
However, the government has shown its commitment to honour its promise by kicking the New Year paying teachers’ bonuses.
The rest of the civil servants are expected to get their bonuses at the end of this month, on dates yet to be advised.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu applauded government for honouring its obligations and working hard to reward its workers. He, however, called on the government to put in place measures that will improve the country’s economy and reduce Treasury’s cash flow challenges.
“I can confirm that all our members have received their bonuses. We’re happy and elated by the development. I would like to commend and congratulate the government for its commitment and achieving its objective of honouring its obligations,” said Ndlovu.
“However, I would like to encourage the government to work hard and put in place measures that will improve the performance of the economy so that we do not live a life of uncertainty as workers. It’s not a healthy situation.”
This comes after teachers, who constitute the bulk of civil servants had threatened to go on strike if they did not receive their bonuses before the opening of schools on Tuesday.
Ndlovu said the economic hardships faced by the country and the cash flow challenges affecting Treasury were caused by closure of industries, which have resulted in more than 10,000 workers losing their jobs in 2014 alone.
“As we start a new year, I hope the government will seriously look at avenues that will improve the economy.
“The reason why Treasury is struggling is because industries have shut down and more than 10,000 people have lost their jobs countrywide.
“This means that there’s less tax to be paid by companies and workers, which is definitely not good for the country’s economy,” he said.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Bulawayo provincial co-ordinator, Vusumuzi Mahlangu, said the payment of bonuses was a welcome development.
“It’s a welcome development but we don’t encourage late payments because they demoralise workers.
“This, however, doesn’t offset other obligations, which include non-monetary benefits and salary increments. We’re anticipating the government to engage us and kick-start negotiations,” said Mahlangu.
He called on the government to put its house in order, manage its resources well and set its priorities right for the country’s economy to improve.
Most companies in the private sector failed to pay their employees bonuses as industry focused more on survival and the payment of regular salaries.
Teachers had threatened to go on strike when schools open next week, accusing government of failing to come up with an exact date when their bonuses would be paid.
They also called on the government to engage them directly through the official platform, the National Joint Negotiating Council, instead of depending on the media for developments.
Online Reporter