The Public Service Commission has announced a new pay structure for civil servants noting that they will be paid according to their academic qualifications, experience and seniority starting this month.
The government is apparently reactivating a policy that promotes the advancement of public workers which was abandoned in 2012.
The advancement policy will start to be operational this month, The Sunday News reported citing a statement issued on Friday, by Public Service Commission (PSC) Secretary Dr Tsitsi Choruma. Reads the statement:
Following engagements in the context of the National Joint Negotiating Council, Government resolved to reactivate the advancement of all civil servants in terms of the applicable advancement procedures. Accordingly, the Public Service Commission embarked on and finalised the placement of all civil servants in their respective grades by the end of December 2022. All civil servants will, therefore, be paid the salaries that reflect their advancement and placement within their grades with effect from January 2023.
In pursuit of the foregoing, all the Heads of Line Ministries are implored to submit all relevant higher qualifications obtained by civil servants under their ministries and departments to the Public Service Commission to facilitate the completion of the advancement exercise by 31st March 2023.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) president Mr Richard Gundani said the exercise is an issue of fundamental rights enshrined in the conditions of service.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said the review of grades would see civil servants getting what they deserved. He said:
If one is a headmaster, deputy or senior teacher, one should have something to show for that. What we only urge the Government is to walk the talk.
He said that while the intention is good, they usually disagree with the government on the implementation plan. He said the new police must be clear among the stakeholders.