Civil servants are urging the government to ensure they receive their full bonuses and not have them staggered like last year. The government recently announced its readiness to pay bonuses, but has not provided details on the payment process, leading to concerns.
The civil servants also want the government to address unresolved issues related to improving their working conditions. The Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) has written to the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) requesting an emergency meeting to discuss the bonus matter. ZCPSTU chairperson Cecilia Alexander told NewsDay on Sunday:
We wrote a letter to the NJNC for an emergency meeting to deliberate on several issues and outstanding matters related to the third quarter. Of course, we are now in the fourth quarter.
In the letter, we identified our proposed agenda. One of them is to discuss the 2023 bonus and modalities. We wrote to NJNC since they are our chief negotiator with the government. We want to appreciate what government is going to pay us.
Obert Masaraure, the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, expressed concern that this year’s bonus payment may be staggered. He criticised the government for its lack of transparency and disregard for the welfare of workers, accusing them of prioritising cost-cutting over the well-being of hardworking individuals. He said:
Now that we are through with the election season, we demand a new governance culture that prioritise the rights and well-being of workers.
We firmly assert that the bonus in 2023 must be paid in a single month without staggered disbursement. The government must ensure that the bonus is provided as a once-off payment to allow teachers to adequately prepare for the festive season.
The secretary-general of the Educators Union of Zimbabwe, Tapedza Zhou, mentioned that they are awaiting an update from the government regarding their bonuses. He expressed that they have worked hard throughout the year and hope to receive their bonuses, but the payment method remains uncertain.
In recent years, the government has staggered the bonus payments, causing concern among civil servants. The civil servants are demanding a 100% bonus payment in both foreign and local currency. Discussions between the government and civil servant representatives took place last week but failed to reach an agreement on multiple issues, including salary and working conditions.