The Government is set to table a fresh salary increment proposal when it meets civil servants’ representatives on Wednesday, a cabinet minister has said.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said the Government will gradually raise civil servants’ salaries to a point where they match their previous earnings in United States dollars. Said Mavima:
We have our own position, but obviously, I cannot disclose it to the press before we meet with the employees.
Whatever the outcome, we shall go back to Cabinet where the issue will be discussed. As the employer, we have the best interests of the civil servants at heart.
We have always said that we are committed to their welfare as well as meeting their request for salaries to match the money they used to earn in US dollars.
But it’s a gradual process and considering the progress we have made as well as exchange rate stability; this is the year to consolidate on that progress.
We are meeting them (civil servants) on Wednesday and we will listen to what they want from us.
After the deliberations with the unions, we will then present the matter to Cabinet and pick it up from there.
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) secretary-general David Dzatsunga also confirmed that they will meet Government representatives this week. He said:
We are meeting on Wednesday and that’s when we will be able to tell you the outcome.
But our concerns are genuine and they are well documented, we hope the Government will hear our case.