Govt Clears Air On Civil Servants Pay Increase

In a statement Public Service Commission chairman Dr Vincent Hungwe said the 17,5 percent Special Civil Service Allowance is permanent contrary to reports that it is a once off payment.

Dr Hungwe said Government was not going to withdraw the allowance. Said Hungwe:

It has come to the attention of the Public Service Commission that some elements are relaying false information to the effect that 17,5 percent Civil Service Special Allowance agreed between the Government and the Civil Service Apex Council on May 24, 2018 is a once-off payment. The special allowance was introduced to cushion members of the public service from the rising cost of living. It is a non-taxable allowance that will increase the net income of civil servants. Government will not withdraw the allowance as it now forms part of the remuneration package as agreed by the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC). The Public Service seeks to categorically state that the 17,5 percent special allowance is not a once-off payment, but it is going to be part of one’s earnings with effect from July 2018.

He also said in terms of the agreement, Government is also expected to implement payment of cash-in-lieu of vacation leave for teachers who had reached a ceiling of 123 days over six months between July and December 2018.

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