The government and the civil service have agreed on RTGS $400 million cost of living adjustment (COLA) across the board effective April 1, 2019. Sector-specific negotiations to continue on non-monetary benefits and allowances.
This will translate into a salary increment of $129 across the board effective April 1. The lowest-paid worker in Grade B1 will now be getting $570, up from $441.
An agreement reached after a Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) meeting held in Harare reads:
The parties took note of the challenges being faced by members of the Public Service and agreed to implement a COLA of $400 million to be effected across the board from April 1 to December 31, 2019.
In addition to the COLA, the parties also agreed to continue their engagement in order to address the following; (i) to employ additional Public Service buses to augment the current fleet, (ii) to implement Statutory Instrument 52 of 2019 that exempts the Public Service from paying vehicle import duty within the set monetary thresholds, (iii) to undertake the agreed study tours to facilitate the establishment of Public Service Collective Bargaining Council by June 2019 and (iv) for Government to provide appropriate medical services to civil servants.
Meanwhile, Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecelia Alexander said:
Though we have our demands which we want to be met, at least this is a sign of fruitful dialogue which has culminated into this agreement.
As Apex Council we will continue negotiating with the employer and this agreement is subject to review in June. We have agreed that developments in the economy, whether positive or negative, will see the parties sitting on the table to dialogue.
More: The Herald