Published by the government of Zimbabwe
9 July 2009
Harare — GOVERNMENT remains committed to improving civil servants' remuneration from allowances to proper salaries as soon as revenue rises to sustainable levels, Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said yesterday.
This followed an announcement by the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe that teachers would boycott lessons every Friday in protest over salaries while the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions implored Government, commerce and industry to pay workers reasonable wages. Minister Mukonoweshuro said the payment of salaries was Government's number one priority although there were still challenges for the fiscus.
"It's not a matter of unwillingness or lack of goodwill on the part of Government, but inability because of the low levels of revenue. The fiscus is currently under stress from other commitments."
He, however, ruled out suggestions that Government transfer funds from these "other commitments" to cover the salary bill.
"There is no way Government can start moving funding from other areas for salaries because they are also equally stressed financially," Minister Mukoweshuro said. In a statement yesterday, ZFTU acting secretary-general Mr Ephraim Tsvaringe said reasonable wages would spur civil servants to be dedicated to their duties.
He called on Government to redirect the US$19 million earmarked for the constitution review process towards civil servants' salaries. "The country is faced with a question of priorities. In our view, the human survival factor is priority number one and (the) new constitution-making process is secondary."
Mr Tsvaringe also urged Government and the business sector to work together in fighting the effects of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
Addressing a Press conference yesterday, PTUZ president Mr Takavafira Zhou said union members would boycott lessons on Fridays until their grievances were addressed.
"We shall boycott classes every working Friday, starting July 10. The boycotts shall be accompanied by marches and vigils organised locally."
Mr Zhou, who was flanked by PTUZ secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe, accused Government of failing to "meaningfully" review teachers' salaries.
He accused Government of failing to implement agreements entered into with union leaders while frustrating teachers who had returned to the profession through dismissals and non-payment of salaries for more than six months.
"If Government does not respond to this campaign after two successive Fridays, we shall boycott classes on Thursdays also, reducing the working week to three days and subsequently to two days or less," he said.
However, Minister Mukonoweshuro said the policy circular on suspension of procedures for the rehiring of teachers still stood.
Government waived the punitive measures normally instituted against people who unprocedurally leave the civil service as an incentive to attract back human resources.
"The policy circular on suspension of procedure for teachers returning has not been reversed. I would want to reiterate that my office remains open for civil servants to discuss their concerns," he said.
Government recently said it would announce salary structures for civil servants this month who have been getting US$100 allowances since the introduction of the use of multiple currencies in February this year.
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