admin
Beatrice Tonhodzayi-Ngondo Make A Difference
If you are the type that works hard for a living, events that are unfolding before our very eyes have no doubt affected you. If you, like many Zimbabweans, are the type that has to sit for hours trying to work a budget that does not seem capable of balancing out, month in and month out; then the salaries, allowances and benefits that some, among us have been paying themselves should make you angry.
At some point, I felt so small and violated to be earning the salary that I get every month.
I could not fathom how some people could get that much in Zimbabwe.
Captains of industry, business leaders, policymakers, opinion leaders, politicians, whatever name we call those who fall into this group, talk about the harsh economic climate that is engulfing Zimbabwe. They use every forum that they get to talk about the harsh economy and none of us can dispute this because right before our eyes, we indeed can see that things are difficult.
The number of people out of jobs is testimony enough to the fact that things are not peachy. The number of companies that have closed down will show even the slowest among us that there are some serious challenges in the country. The water shortages, power outages, low income and low productivity will indeed bear testimony to the fact that things are difficult.
The state of our roads, the state of our hospitals and clinics and even the low salaries that many of us earn are a testimony to the fact that things are indeed very tough. The fact that every one of us in some respect has become a vendor — people are selling chickens, vegetables, clothes, beauty products — make-up and anything else they can — bears testimony that the economy is not healthy.
Civil servants are earning salaries below the poverty datum line and yet they continue to go to work faithfully.
Workers, some of whom are colleagues at Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings, held on even when they were not getting paid because there are not many options out there. So there we were, believing that things were tough for all of us.
Indeed, it is a fact that some animals are more superior than others. They were getting huge salaries and perks even when the companies were struggling in debt and sometimes failing to pay employees.
Where has our conscience gone to?
I know of companies, who if things are not in order, will pay their workforce first and then management later.
The management team will get paid last, when things have improved. This is because these managers in their contracts, are the ones tasked to ensure that the business remains viable.
It is also because these managers earn slightly more than the rest of the workers. It therefore makes sense that if there is not enough money, managers will forego their salaries until the situation improves.
But what we have witnessed in recent weeks has shown us otherwise. Bosses in some of our state enterprises have been taking care of themselves and bleeding their companies. In the case of ZBC, the workers went unpaid for seven months and at PSMAS, service providers, such as doctors, have gone for months without getting their money for services rendered to PSMAS members. As a result, health providers are no longer willing to give medical help to holders of PSMAS medical aid card.
Consequently civil servants, who are among the lowest paid people in the country, are having to pay cash to access healthcare or are dying due to lack of it.
What type of double-edged sword is this on the people?
And in the face of all this, we hear of someone earning some vulgar amount that I do not even allow myself to dream of. Many people, in their lifetime, no matter how many Masters’ degrees they hold, will never earn that kind of money. Even for being that person’s partner, there are benefits. What is this country coming to? Others hooked themselves up with some housing deals while their staff literally wallowed in poverty. Surely, how do such people look at themselves in the mirror? And how do those who are supposed to police them let them be?
From events unfolding, it seems there is more to what meets the eye. There are many who are living large in Zimbabwe when the majority is barely getting by.
They live large and flashy; purchasing houses and cars and holidaying in dream destinations when for many in Zimbabwe, descent housing remains a dream. Of course, salaries and benefits cannot be the same because of responsibilities, qualifications, expertise and experience.
Others will earn more than others. That is a given. But when others loot like there is no tomorrow, what are we saying?
What is happening now should serve as a warning to all of us to be professional. If one brings in money, then yes they should earn good money.
This situation were people who preside over loss making and public entities, are allowed to earn megabucks and loot is worrisome.
Senior managers need performance-based contracts. And they should not become part of the furniture at an organisation.
How do you inject new ideas and impetus when you are as old as the company? Some of these benefits also need to be revisited. Round the clock, security and domestic staff, plus unlimited fuel, really? Some executives have their cars replaced every couple of years.
These are not cheap cars, by the way. Shouldn’t one have to prove their worth before they get these perks? And if one stays for 20 years, how many cars would they have received?
Let us play fair.
If you, as the boss are well paid, then pay your workers well too and provide the services. We hear PSMAS pays well but doctors who provide service and the members who contribute monthly are suffering. Harare City Council, refuse is piling, roads are disgusting and workers are starving; why do you deserve so much Mr Town Clerk?
We wait to see tough action being taken on all these people and institutions. Zimbabweans are watching. We will not take anything less than real action.
Then, we will begin to see the difference.
Online Reporter