Pressure from Members of Parliament has led Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube, to announce increases in funding for lawmakers, <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/ncube-raises-parliaments-budget-and-doubles-cdf-to-us100k/">reported ZimLive</a>.
In response to their demands, Ncube has doubled the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation and pledged to purchase more vehicles for MPs.
Originally, Ncube allocated ZiG1.7 billion for Parliament in his budget statement presented on November 28. However, following parliamentary pressure, he raised this amount by an additional ZiG1 billion.
During the debate on his 2025 budget on Wednesday, Ncube explained that financing the added costs required tapping into “back pocket funds.”
Some of the specific requests from MPs included more vehicles for parliamentary committee chairpersons, allowances for staff, residential stands for lawmakers, the clearance of CDF arrears, as well as increased sitting, fuel, and foreign allowances.
To meet these demands, Ncube allocated approximately US$120 million for staff salaries, ZiG250 million for additional cars for MPs, ZiG378 million for clearing CDF arrears, ZiG72 million for MPs’ fuel allowances, ZiG50 million for domestic and foreign allowances, and another ZiG50 million for lawmakers’ offices and tools of trade.
Additionally, Ncube doubled the CDF allocation to US$100,000 per constituency for the country’s 210 constituencies and set aside funds to purchase buses for transporting parliamentary staff. He said:
<blockquote>
What we did not do is in a sense we can see that it is an area of pressure and we need some back pocket to approve what they were proposing but to make provision for it because within our budget to cater for additional motor vehicles.
Now let me go back and say that for the CDF and clearance of tools of trade and office equipment for staff and MPs, I am proposing an additional ZiG72 million.
To support additional motor vehicle requirements which is a tool of trade, I am proposing an additional ZiG50 million.
For MPs’ fuel requirements, I am proposing an additional budget of ZiG378 million.
I am proposing a back pocket for parliament of ZiG200 million and an additional ZiG50 million for the constituency offices and other tools of the trade ZiG250 million.
For domestic and foreign allowances, I am proposing ZiG 50 million.
</blockquote>
Ncube said that the issue of residential stands for parliamentary staff is still under consideration and being addressed by the Ministry of Local Government.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe's Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, gave more money and benefits to MPs after they asked for it. He doubled the amount of money each constituency gets to help its people and promised to buy more vehicles for MPs. Ncube had originally set aside a certain amount of money for Parliament, but had to add more because MPs wanted more. He provided extra money for things like staff salaries, cars for MPs, fuel, allowances, and office supplies. He also promised to buy buses for parliamentary staff. Ncube said he will think about giving residential stands to parliamentary staff.

In A Year Of Drought, Mthuli Ncube Pampers MPs With Stands, Cars, And Increased CDF

Zimbabwe’s Members of Parliament (MPs) have reported going nine months without receiving fuel and other allowances from the government, leading to frequent absences from the House, reported <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mps-claim-they-have-gone-for-9-months-without-receiving-allowances/">ZimLive</a>.
This issue was raised in the National Assembly by Rushinga MP Tendai Nyabani (ZANU PF) on Thursday, who said parliamentarians have been reduced to a state of begging as they struggle to receive their rightful dues. Said Nyabani:
<blockquote>
We must not be begging as Members of Parliament. If we were promised to be given something, then it must come right on time.
For example, if we are getting travelling allowances, and fuel, I cannot remember when we last received those allowances.
We are talking about allowances which allow us to go to our constituencies to reach out to our people. Should we continue begging?
</blockquote>
Nyabani also disclosed that MPs have not received their Constituency Development Funds (CDF), which are essential for advancing various programmes in their communities. He said:
<blockquote>
We want the whole country to know that the CDF amounting to US$50,000 that we were told and which we were supposed to be given has not yet been received.
</blockquote>
Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu (CCC) said legislators have begun to abscond from Parliament due to not receiving any payments since January of this year. Said Matewu:
<blockquote>
I want to stress that it has been nine months since we got our allowances. I am not sure about you (deputy speaker) but the Members of Parliament in this House have had nine months without any allowance.
That is why you see this House is half empty. It is half empty because sometimes most of us are now going into business, which is really killing the work of this parliament because we need to survive and our families also need to survive.
</blockquote>
Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi opted to postpone her response to allow for consultation with the appropriate offices. She said:
<blockquote>
Your points have been noted but for today, I have no comment on that. We are going to consult so that we bring comprehensive information and adequate responses explaining the different points that you mentioned. I will not lie to you, but I want to consult and bring a concrete response next week but one.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's MPs have not been getting their money for nine months. They are missing in parliament because they can't afford to travel to work. They are upset because they need the money to help their communities. Even the money meant for helping their communities has not arrived. Some MPs are now skipping work to make money in other ways. The government promises to talk about this issue next week. MPs say they are tired of waiting and need their money now.

Government Fails To Pay Allowances To MPs For Nine Months

The government has scrapped the transport allowances for junior police officers without any prior notice, leaving them in a precarious situation as they now struggle to commute to their workplaces.
According to officers interviewed by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200029745/cops-fume-as-govt-scraps-allowance">NewsDay</a>, this decision is forcing them to resort to humiliating negotiations with unlicensed taxi operators, known as “mushikashika,” to secure free rides.
This situation not only compromises the dignity of the officers but also places them in a conflicted position, as they are tasked with enforcing regulations against the very same mushikashika operators they are now dependent on for transportation.
A police officer who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity revealed that the junior cops have not been receiving the transport allowance since April 2024. Said the police officer:
<blockquote>
Most of us got April payslips last week, and that is when we discovered that the transport allowance had been scrapped.
</blockquote>
The allowance was equivalent to around US$20. Said another police officer:
<blockquote>
It was not enough to cater for the monthly transport costs. The fact that the government has completely abdicated itself from its responsibility of catering for our welfare is an issue of concern.
Even if it was a small amount, it was more important that it was there than to scrap it off when we needed it.
</blockquote>
Junior police officers in Harare recently raised the matter and their superiors reportedly instructed them to use their existing cycle allowances to purchase bicycles.
The junior officers were irked by the response given that the senior officers themselves have benefited from top-of-the-range vehicles and other perks provided by the government. Said a police officer:
<blockquote>
Yes, we get a cycle allowance, but it is not for us to buy bicycles.
We are supposed to be given bicycles by the State and we get a monthly allowance to maintain that cycle. 
It’s a mockery to suggest that we should cycle to work. The situation that we are in is pathetic.
We wait for hours at bus stops asking for free rides. Usually, the pirate taxis offer us transport for free, but they would want favours too.
You can’t board an illegal taxi and as you disembark, you arrest the crew for the illegal practice when you have benefited from the illegality.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi told NewsDay that police officers were not given allowances to purchase bicycles, “but are provided with cycle allowances to service and maintain the cycles which they have”. He added:
<blockquote>
Cycle allowances are not given to all police officers, but are given to officers who use cycles for police duties, such as patrols and attending scenes.
Police officers who are entitled to receive cycle allowances, but are not getting the allowances are urged to use the appropriate police channels for the concerns to be addressed by the Commissioner-General of Police.
If there are police officers who have been given a directive by anyone who is not the Commissioner-General of Police to buy cycles for use, we appeal to these members to channel such issues through the normal communication procedures and I can assure you these will be attended to.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government has stopped giving money to junior police officers for transportation, leaving them struggling to get to work. They are now asking illegal taxi drivers for free rides, even though they have to enforce laws against these drivers. The officers are upset because they need the money for transportation, and the government should take care of them. Some officers were told to use their bike allowance to buy bicycles, which they think is unfair. The police spokesperson said that they are supposed to use the bike allowance to maintain their bikes, not buy new ones. Officers who have concerns should talk to the Commissioner-General of Police.

Government Scraps Junior Police Officers' Allowance

Murehwa West MP Farai Jere has urged the Government to ensure that councillors are paid a basic monthly salary plus allowances.
Currently, councillors in Zimbabwe are only given an allowance, which is less than US$100.
Speaking during the debate of his motion on conditions of service to improve the plight of councillors, Jere said (<a href="https://openparly.com/farai-jere-wants-councillors-paid-a-basic-monthly-salary-plus-allowances/">via Open Parly</a>):
<blockquote>
Councillors’ compensation should align with international best practices on local governance and government remuneration aimed at facilitating good governance. This outlines that local elected officials should receive salaries.
What has been approved Madam Speaker, is an allowance. We are proposing that these councillors should be entitled to a basic salary plus those allowances as part of the presentation.
Allowances should cover expenses incurred during official duties, and… remuneration packages should be regularly reviewed by independent bodies to match evolving roles and maintain public confidence.
The current situation on the ground has been overtaken by events, where councillors were earning something like 115 which was equivalent to US$9 per sitting at the current official rate of exchange.
There is a need for a Statutory Instrument to mandate appropriate compensation parameters linked to responsibilities and constituency sizes. This would enhance compliance with international standards.
I propose that national legislation outlines basic salary, allowances and a performance-based bonus framework for our councillors.
It is very sad to let this House know that the welfare of the councillors as we speak now, is the responsibility of the Hon. Members.
They are funding their operations as they are regarded as the foot soldiers of our constituencies…
The proposed remuneration will aim to cover basic expenses, opportunity costs and productive costs incurred by councillors in fulfilling their demanding official duty across potential vast wards.
</blockquote>
The government recently reviewed the allowances of local authority employees, that is, mayors, deputy mayors, committee chairpersons and councillors.
This was revealed in a circular from the Minister for Local Government and Public Works, which was copied to the Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Public Works, and all Provincial Directors for Local Government Services, and addressed to the President of the Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe, A Shamu.
According to the circular, dated 27 February 2024, the allowances which are with effect from 1 January 2024, are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Mayors/Chairpersons – ZWL$1,629,906</li>
<li>Deputy Mayors/Chairpersons – ZWL$1,494,081</li>
<li>Committee Chairpersons – ZWL$1,412,585</li>
<li>Councillor – ZWL$1,358,255</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Councillors Must Be Paid A Basic Monthly Salary Plus Allowances - Farai Jere

The Government has set aside US$16 million to pay outstanding allowances to civil servants who were hired for a mop-up mobile registration exercise ahead of the August 2023 general elections.
The civil servants were worried that the Government might fail to pay their allowances or that the money would be worthless when they finally received it due to hyperinflation.
In a memo seen by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200023977/civil-servants-to-receive-outstanding-allowances">NewsDay</a>, dated 27 February 2024, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga said the outstanding payments will cleared in three batches between March and May 2024.
The memo is titled: “Request for payment of US$16 002 000 to clear outstanding mop-up mobile registration exercise allowances for Civil Registration Department.”
Guvamatanga said the civil servants will receive the allowances in foreign currency. He said:
<blockquote>
The exercise did not receive cash support during the 2023 financial budget. Our letter dated October 23, 2023, also refers.
Given the resource constraints against competing demands related to government programmes and projects, the Treasury commits to settle the outstanding amount in three batches commencing in March 2024.
To restore value lost due to depreciation, payment of allowances will be made in foreign currency.
Accordingly, Treasury will release the resources for payment of outstanding allowances over three months.
</blockquote>
Guvamatanga copied the letter to Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube, his deputy David Mnangagwa, chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya.
Other senior officials who are copied on the letter include Edwin Zvandasara, the accountant-general, Percy Takavarasha, chief director for expenditure management and one A Mukurazhizha who is director of recurrent expenditure management.
The Government is notorious for delaying the release of funds for the payment of allowances to civil servants who take part in national programmes.
In the past, civil servants who have been engaged during censuses, election-related activities, and even teachers who mark Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examinations have complained of being paid at least four months after the exercise.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Civil Servants Set To Receive Election-related Outstanding Allowances

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has started to implement the first phase of the retention allowances payments to civil servants under the Skills Attraction, Retention and Development Fund (SARDF).
The retention allowance is aimed at attracting highly competent professionals into Government service and ensuring those already employed do not leave the civil service due to low remuneration.
In a statement on Wednesday, PSC secretary Tsitsi Choruma said the first phase will target 11 categories of critical skills with total pay benchmarked to local and regional earning levels.
Grades from the deputy director and below will be eligible for the allowances.
Engineers, information and communication technology specialists, mining surveyors, forensic scientists, architects, veterinary officers, quantity surveyors, social development officers, psychologists, metallurgists, and legal drafters make up the 11 categories.
Choruma said the allowance was set at 70 percent of the basic salary of the member’s grade. She said:
<blockquote>
The identification of jobs was based on the high level of attrition in these categories and also the difficulty in filling the posts once a vacancy arises.
The retention allowance for the job categories has been benchmarked using the salary levels obtaining on the market as observed from different salary surveys both locally and regionally.
As additional resources become available, more jobs will be added to the list, and the retention allowance improved.
</blockquote>
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had allocated ZWL$1.512 billion for the SARDF to pay the retention allowances.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt To Pay "Retention Allowances" To Skilled Civil Servants

Nurses in Matabeleland North Province allege that they have gone for several months without receiving COVID-19 allowances.
The US$75 per month risk allowance was introduced in June 2020 after the government recognised the significant risks faced by health sector professionals and civil servants as frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A nurse at St Luke’s Mission Hospital, who asked to remain anonymous, told the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/news/article/200007494/mat-north-nurses-fret-over-outstanding-covid-19-allowances">Southern Eye</a> that they suspected corruption as they were no longer getting the allowances. Said the nurse:
<blockquote>
It’s been many months without getting our COVID-19 allowances, and we might end up quitting.
It’s clear that top health officials convert the money for personal use.
What we do is dangerous, we are always at risk of catching the virus, and the least they can do is give us our money.
The Health Minister should be alerted over what is happening and stop the corruption and injustices happening to us.
</blockquote>
Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Admire Kuretu told the publication that delays were a result of meticulous checks carried out by authorities to ensure the money benefited the right people. Said Kuretu:
<blockquote>
I have not received any complaints from anyone. The other issue is that the processing of the allowances involves a lot of paperwork to make sure the right people are paid.
This might cause an apparent delay in the payment of the allowances.
</blockquote>

Mat North Nurses Threaten To Quit Over Outstanding COVID-19 Allowances

Members of Parliament (MPs) have demanded their sitting allowances which have not been paid for nearly five months.
On Wednesday, Norton MP, Temba Mliswa (Independent), raised a point of privilege in the National Assembly saying MPs have not received their allowances since September 2022. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007296/mps-raise-new-demands">NewsDay</a> quoted Mliswa as saying:
My point of national interest is sad because we seem to be seized with it and I know that it has a lot of unnecessary responsibility.
<blockquote>
It is about the welfare of the MPs, in particular, their outstanding allowances — they have not received their outstanding allowances since September.
On allowances, we did not get our monies, especially after coming from the pre-budget seminar.
This was in November, so we actually thought that since we had pre-budget in November, all the outstanding issues would be taken care of.
We then went on a break; there are field visits that are also outstanding in terms of payments.
The rate was $600 to US$1 at that time and now it has gone to $1 200, so we are merely getting half of what we were supposed to get.
So it is really out of that and the pre-budget Mr. Speaker Sir, also alluded to the fact that the Standing Orders Committee would sit down to come up with a way forward in terms of accommodation and allowances for MPs for those who do not stay in hotels.
</blockquote>
Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, then promised to take up the matter with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube.
Towards the end of 2022, it emerged that the Government had offered a US$40 000 loan to each sitting MP, US$500 000 for individual Cabinet ministers, and US$350 000 for their deputies.

MPs' Sitting Allowances Unpaid Since September 2022

Community village health workers, formerly known as village health workers, have appealed to be recognised in the National Budget so that they are paid commensurate to their role as frontline workers.
They made the appeal during the National Stakeholder engagement meeting organized by the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) on Thursday.
Concilia Mukarati, a community health worker said they last got their meagre allowances which come with deductions in 2019. She said:
<blockquote>
When we were trained. We were promised how we would work in the community, but nothing materialized.
We were told we would get an allowance at the end of the month the allowance was USD15 per month and a dollar is deducted for the bicycles.
The USD15 allowance is supposed to come quarterly and from 2019 to date, we haven’t been paid. It comes in a staggered manner that we won’t know when it last came.
We walked door to door sensitising the villagers on the importance of vaccinating their children and at times we faced resistance.
But when it comes to payment, they said they would pay four or 10 community health workers, yet we are 25.
When donors come with their programs, we will be working with them through the health and Child Care ministry but when it comes to payment, we are left out.
</blockquote>
Mukarati pleaded for an upward review of their allowances saying that the USD15 was not enough for them to sustain their families. She said:
<blockquote>
The USD15 we get is measly and we are asking that you relay information that the USD15 cannot buy my groceries to sustain my family as I am a widow.
When you are making this budget, may you please consider us because we are doing most of the work.
We refer patients to nurses for we are the village’s first port of call. When it comes to payment, we are tossed aside as other business.
</blockquote>
Buhera Central legislator Mathew Nyashanu promised to take the village health workers’ concerns to the Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube. Said Nyashanu:
<blockquote>
My dear sisters, the village health workers, I take your plight. I understand where you are coming from. I am a rural MP. I happen to work with you in rural communities.
Apparently, I am the MP for Buhera Central Constituency. So Buhera Central you know where it is, it is right in the centre of a poor community, and these are the challenges we meet with every day.
People died when they gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic at its height, and you would give them education. So those are the challenges we faced together.
But we are going to make representations in Parliament this year so that we try and convince the Finance minister.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/10/21/village-health-workers-complain-of-paltry-allowances/">Health Times</a>

Village Health Workers Complain Over "Paltry" Allowances

The government has increased USD allowances for civil servants by 25% from the current US$175 to US$200 with effect from 1 September 2022. However, there has been no increment in civil servants’ Zimbabwe dollar salaries.
The government and civil servants representatives met on Tuesday, 20 September 2022 under the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) to deliberate on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
In a statement issued after the NJNCmeeting, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), Cecilia Alexander, said the parties deliberated on the cost of living adjustment (COLA), Sector Specific Allowances and Performance Awards, and the 2022 Bonus. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
To All Public Sector Workers
RE: NJNC Update The NJNC meeting today deliberated on the following conditions of service matters:
<ul>
<li>COLA</li>
<li>Sector Specific Allowances and Performance Awards</li>
<li>2022 Bonus</li>
</ul>
<h2>COLA</h2>
The employer offered an increase of 25% on the USD100 to make it 125USD and maintained the USD75 Covid allowance to make the total USD package USD 200 with effect from the 1st of September 2022.
The workers acknowledged the increase but chose to wait for specific modalities on how this is going to be implemented.
The employer did not offer or table any increase on the ZWL salary and the workers demanded that this be also reviewed without fail. In the end, the government side asked for time out to consult. Sector
<h2>Specific Allowances</h2>
The workers advised the employer to resuscitate already agreed sector-specific allowances so as to bring all government workers to the same level to which the government committed to speedily work on the implementation modalities.
On the school fees assistance for teachers, the government indicated that they had faced challenges again with payment modalities, but it was acknowledged by both parties that most of the bottlenecks have now been addressed.
The workers then felt that the ZWL20 000 per child was no longer enough given the latest school fees increase and that government should consider indexing the figure to USD50 value.
<h2>2022 Bonus</h2>
Government committed to paying the 2022 bonus in USD but did not provide any figures and again asked for time to consult on the payment details and the total offer thereof.
<h2>Adjournment</h2>
The parties agreed to adjourn the meeting to allow for the government side to consult with their principals and to reconvene in the shortest time possible, possibly within the week to finalise on the aforementioned outstanding issues.
</blockquote>

Govt Increases USD Allowances For Civil Servants

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has reviewed the allowances of mayors, deputy mayors/chairpersons, committee chairpersons and councillors.
In a circular dated 14 September 2022, addressed to all town clerks/secretaries and all chief executive officers, Local Government and Public Works Ministry permanent secretary Zvinechimwe Churu said the allowances have been reviewed with effect from 1 August 2022. It read:
Local authorities are hereby advised that effective 1 August 2022, allowances have been reviewed as follows:
1. Mayors/Chairpersons – ZW$138 575.40
2. Deputy Mayors/Chairpersons – ZW$127 027.45
3. Committee Chairpersons – ZW$120 098.68
4. Councillors – $115 479.50
However, councils are advised that payment of these allowances is subject to performance of the local authority.
Please note that this circular rescinds all previous communication relating to this subject matter and its interpretation of this circular rests with the undersigned.

Govt Reviews Councillors' Allowances

ZANU PF has promised village heads that with effect from July 2022, they will receive US dollar allowances while Government will also increase their monthly salaries in Zimbabwe dollars.
Addressing village heads, headmen and chiefs, who had gathered for a meeting of ZANU PF structures in Tsholotsho on Wednesday, ZANU PF Second Secretary Kembo Mohadi said that with effect from this month, village heads will receive US$50 in allowances. Said Mohadi:
<blockquote>
As village heads, you are working hard yet what you’re getting is not reflective of the amount of work done.
The Ministry of Local Government officials are here and for those of you not yet registered, you must go to the DDC and be registered as soon as possible.
We noted that the money you are getting is no longer of much value so it has been decided that it be increased, most likely doubled.
Over and above that, you shall get US$50 per month effective this month.
</blockquote>
There are 36 000 village heads in Zimbabwe. However, some of them have not been receiving salaries because they are not registered.
The meeting was also attended by Tsholotsho Senator, Alice Dube, Tsholotsho South and North House of Assembly representatives, Musa Ncube and Retired Brigadier General Sibangumuzi Khumalo, respectively.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/usd-allowances-for-village-heads/">Chronicle</a></h4>

US Dollar Allowances For Village Heads

Health workers at Gokwe North District Hospital have expressed anger over authorities’ failure to disburse COVID-19 funds, three weeks after the government deposited the funds into the district hospital’s account.
The funds are meant for those who took part in the COVID-19 vaccination blitz which was done in two parts.
The first group took part in the programme in March and received their allowances for seven days after a month.
The second blitz took part in early May but they are yet to receive their allowances.
With the runaway inflation, the healthcare workers are worried that their money has been rendered valueless.
The authorities are putting blame on poor network connectivity in the district for their failure to disburse the funds.
However, the beneficiaries are blaming the authorities for not having a plan B, for example, buying data or travelling to areas with good internet connectivity like Gokwe Town centre.
Meanwhile, other district hospitals like Zvishavane paid their workers about three weeks ago.
They were given US$120 per day which will be converted using the interbank rate of the day.
Gokwe North District is notorious for late payments of its staff after they take part in various programmes.
Last year, COVID-19 funds were only disbursed after complaints from the staff.
The health workers have also complained over the government’s penchant to pay workers in instalments.

Anger Over Late Disbursement Of COVID-19 Funds

The government has announced a review of health sector-specific allowances and also introduced non-monetary benefits in a bid to cushion the workers from the biting economy. Health workers last week embarked on <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/20/watch-zimbabwes-health-workers-strike-over-salaries/">industrial action</a> to push the government to review its salaries and improve working conditions. Pindula News presents a statement issued by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube on Monday 27 June 2022:
<blockquote>
<h2>Health Sector.</h2>
With particular regard to the Health Services Sector, Government has reviewed upwards the Health Sector-Specific Allowances in the following areas: –
• On-Call Allowances, which apply to Doctors and Laboratory Scientists;
• Night Duty, Stand By / Callout Allowances, which apply to Nurses, Nurse Aides and General Hands in theatre;
• Nurse Managers Allowances;
• Special Health equalisation factor which applies to all eligible staff;
• Covid and Infectious Disease Risk Allowances.

<ul>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/27/full-text-government-reviews-workers-salaries/">FULL TEXT: Government Reviews Workers’ Salaries</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/27/finance-minister-mthuli-ncube-announces-measures-to-cushion-teachers/">Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube Announces Measures To Cushion Teachers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/28/housing-loan-guarantee-scheme-for-security-service-officers-to-purchase-houses-in-areas-of-choice/">“Housing Loan Guarantee Scheme For Security Service Officers To Purchase Houses In Areas Of Choice”</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>In addition, the Government has reviewed the non-monetary benefits for the Health Sector including the following: –</h2>
• provision of institutional housing for health workers starting with Harare and Bulawayo;
• provision of housing loan guarantees;
• provision of efficient transport facilities, starting with Referral / Central Hospitals
• addressing deficiencies in the cafeteria system and re-operationalising the system; and 
• Local production and sourcing of uniforms for health personnel.
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a class="external text" href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">Pindula News </a>is best enjoyed <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/?utm_source=PindulaArticles&amp;utm_campaign=DownloadLink">via the App. Download it here</a></h2>

Government Announces Health Sector-Specific Allowances And Non-Monetary Benefits

Nurses in Matabeleland North Province are yet to be paid their allowances for participating in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Nurses who spoke to Southern Eye said they were promised US$120 at the interbank rate when the programme started last year but the Government has failed to honour its commitment. One of the affected nurses said:
<blockquote>
We were promised US$120 at the interbank rate, but nothing has been paid so far. Inflation is devaluing our money.
The intensified COVID-19 campaign was carried out successfully but we have not been paid for months.
Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) enumerators were paid their money.
This means that the Health ministry is sleeping on duty.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said nurses who contracted coronavirus are entitled to US$600 compensation, but they had not been paid. He added:
<blockquote>
The COVID-19 vaccination programmes were done nationally and currently, there is another vaccination campaign that has been ongoing for two weeks.
The issue remains that the ministry should recognise its workforce.
People who participated in the ZimStat census and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) by-elections were paid their allowances after finishing their tasks, but the Health ministry takes its time to pay health workers.
</blockquote>
Ministry of Health and Childcare spokesperson Donald Mujiri referred all questions to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
Southern Eye reported that Finance ministry spokesperson Clive Mphambela asked questions in writing but had not responded to them by the time of going to print.
<h4>More:<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/nurses-yet-to-receive-covid-19-allowances/"> NewsDay</a></h4>

Nurses Yet To Receive COVID-19 Allowances

The Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has called for unity among teachers at all levels in demanding the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries where the average teacher was paid above US$500.
Last week the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/11/07/school-heads-to-get-allowances-based-on-school-grade-government/">Tumisang Thabela, said school heads will get allowances that will be determined by the grade of their schools.</a>
But PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou urged schools heads to reject the token allowances and instead join other teachers in demanding the restoration of their salaries. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
Insinuations that School heads will get a salary boost is at best a fantasy and at worst a fabrication trying to ululate at an insult.
Any school head worthy of his/her salt must realise that even a 100% offer on current salary will still fall far short of the US$540 average earned by teachers before October 2018.
What more of allowances ranging between 10% and 25% of basic salary? A worthy battle for all teachers is, therefore, the restoration of the purchasing power parity of the salaries of teachers as of pre-October 2018.
As PTUZ we dont see how school heads must salivate at poisoned carrots of meaningless allowances, unilaterally given by the employer.
We reiterate our long held view that only a living wage is a recipe for quality public education.
Any attempt to create a gulf between school heads and teachers must be seen in a true sense of weakening the united struggle for status restoration.
Teachers across the board must remain United by their poverty and ready to fight incapacitation struggle by all means necessary.
</blockquote>
Zhou called on teachers to continue to report for a maximum of two days a week, and a minimum of a day a week on Monday or/and Tuesday due to their incapacitation.
He said PTUZ members should be ready to escalate their fight for a living wage by refusing to be invigilators for end of year public examinations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

"Reject Token Allowances And Fight For Your Salaries", PTUZ Tells School Heads

The Zimbabwean government has set 14 July as the deadline for frontline health workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Speaking at a post-cabinet press briefing in Harare Tuesday evening, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said those who would not be vaccinated against the virus will not get insurance payouts. She said:
<blockquote>Noting that the frontline staff were given the opportunity to vaccinate ahead of others, the nation is advised that a considerable number of frontline workers (20 per cent) have still not presented themselves for vaccination.
Given the risk this poses not only to other workers but also to patients, Cabinet has set 14 July 2021 as the deadline for the vaccination of the frontline workers.
After this date, those who would not have been vaccinated will not receive Covid-19 insurance payouts.
For the avoidance of doubt, those vaccinated staff members who test positive will, however, still be eligible for the Covid-19 insurance payout.</blockquote>
The Public Service Commission (PSC) last year announced that government employees who contract the coronavirus in their line of duty will be entitled to financial benefits.
Those who succumb to COVID-19 in their line of duty would be entitled to a full year’s salary paid to their family, on top of the usual benefits associated with their work.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

No Compensation For Unvaccinated Civil Servants

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has increased student teachers’ allowances to $9 049 from $157 with effect from 1 April.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Public Service Commission said the student teachers will also be entitled to a US$75 ($6 375) COVID-19 allowance. The PSC said:
<blockquote>Regarding the US$75 Covid-19 allowance, Treasury also concurred that it should be extended to student teachers as well, during their time on teaching practice and it should be paid concurrently with their monthly allowances in local currency after converting it at the prevailing auction exchange rate on the date of payment.</blockquote>
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) welcomed the increment of the allowances but urged the government to consider availing allowances to university students on teaching practise (TP). PTUZ posted on their Twitter page:
<blockquote>We appreciate the increment in student teacher allowances. However, we note that apart from a crazy tradition, there is no justified reason for the exclusion of University students on TP from receiving these allowances. We call on @ZimTreasury, psczimbabwe to correct the anomaly</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We appreciate the increment if student teacher allowances. However, we note that apart from a crazy tradition, there is no justified reason for the exclusion of University students on TP from receiving these allowances. We call on <a href="https://twitter.com/ZimTreasury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZimTreasury</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/psczimbabwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@psczimbabwe</a> to correct the anomaly <a href="https://t.co/ngy7TEEfma">pic.twitter.com/ngy7TEEfma</a>
— PTUZ_Official (@ProgressiveOf) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProgressiveOf/status/1387007648650960898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Govt Hikes Student Teachers' Allowances

Nurses have described the government as “very cruel” and its decision to scrap health workers’ non-claimable night-duty allowances as a “provocation”.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo on Monday said nurses would not tolerate the removal of the allowances. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>There is no way that we expect the government to remove what it had given to its workers. It’s tantamount to victimisation and provocation.
We feel that the government wants to provoke workers so that they take the matter into their own hands. It’s the trend globally that workers who work overtime are paid.
It shows that the employer is very cruel, instead of thanking their workers by giving them remuneration; they want to thank them by removing the peanuts which we were being given since 2018.
That is bad and we are not going to tolerate that.</blockquote>
Last year the government unilaterally scrapped its flexitime arrangement with nurses whereby they reported for duty on a certain number of days per week due to a shortage of personal protective equipment and poor remuneration.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/04/tempers-flare-as-govt-scraps-nurses-night-allowances/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

'Nurses Won't Tolerate Scrapping Of Night Allowances'

The government has hiked the sitting allowances paid to elected representatives by between 50 and 100% and backdated the same to January last year.
Members of Parliament’s allowances have been reviewed upwards 100%, while provincial council members and councillors were awarded a 75% and 50% increase, respectively.
The increment was confirmed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/July_Moyo" rel="noopener" target="_blank">July Moyo</a>. He said:
<blockquote>We have three elected levels consisting of MPs, those in provincial councils and local authorities.
The President approved new rates for MPs, councillors and provincial council members.
The levels of allowances are as follows: 50% for councillors, 75% for provincial council members and 100% for MPs.</blockquote>
The adjustment, however, falls way short of what the councillors and MPs have been demanding since 2019.
In 2019, MPs asked for an allowance increase and credit cards for trips outside of the country.
They also demanded that they be served three-course meals and dessert while attending parliament.
The legislators also requested that the government provide gym facilities or pay for their membership fees.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/02/windfall-for-mps-councillors/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

MPs Awarded 100 Per Cent Hike In Sitting Allowances

Eight unions representing Zimbabwean teachers have requested an urgent meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appraise him on the challenges bedevilling the education sector.
Among other things, the unions want sector-specific allowances which they listed as follows:
<ul>
<li>risk allowances</li>
<li>special class allowance</li>
<li>invigilation allowance</li>
<li>grade 7 teacher allowance</li>
<li>teachers living with disability allowance</li>
<li>bloated class allowance</li>
<li>composite class allowance</li>
<li>class teacher allowance</li>
</ul>
The unions are also seeking a revision of the already existing allowances which they listed as;
<ul>
<li>advanced level allowance</li>
<li>head of department allowance</li>
<li>sports organiser allowance</li>
<li>teacher in charge allowance</li>
</ul>
The petition to President Mnangagwa was signed by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA), the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Teacher’s Union of Zimbabwe (TUZ), Zimbabwe Rural Teachers’ Union (ZRTU), Zimbabwe Democratic Teachers’ Union (ZDTU), Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (ZINATU), and Zimbabwe National Educators’ Union (ZINEU).

List Of Allowances Teachers Expect To Be Paid

Local referees have bemoaned the $2 000 payments that they have received from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), which they consider a pittance.
ZIFA last week paid the promised $2 000 to each of the top 80 referees in the country.
One referee confirmed receiving the payment but bemoaned the low amount considering the sky-rocketing prices of basic goods. He said:
<blockquote>We received the funds last week and yes it was $2 000 bond but considering the prices out there we hope they will give us another payout as football is being touted to make a return only in August.</blockquote>
The amounts paid to local match officials contrast sharply with what Morocco’s football association has paid its referees.
According to reports, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) opted to pay referees of MAD 6,000 (US$550.00).
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/zimbabwean-football-referees-bemoan-paltry-covid-19-relief-payment-from-zifa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

Local Referees Bemoan 'Pitiful' ZIFA Allowance

Parliament has withheld sitting allowances for MDC Alliance MPs ranging between $9 000 and $15 000 for each legislator as punishment for walking out on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month.
This was confirmed to the Daily News on Thursday by MDC chief whip <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Prosper_Mutseyami" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prosper Mutseyami.</a> He said:
<blockquote>We have not received anything in terms of our allowances so it means they have carried out their threat to punish us but we are going to fight it out although I am not at liberty to say how at the moment.</blockquote>
Soon after Mnangagwa had delivered the SONA, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/National_Assembly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Assembly</a> Speaker <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Jacob_Mudenda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jacob Mudenda</a> announced that the opposition party’s MPs will not get the sitting allowances they were owed for the past 5 months.
MPs get RTGS$700.00 per every sitting after it was hiked from $75.00.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/10/18/mdc-mps-lose-allowances" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

MDC Alliance MPs Punished For Walking Out On ED

MPs have yet again come up with a set of demands from the executive, this time an increase of their allowances and credit cards when travelling abroad.
Norton legislator, Themba Mliswa led the MPs’ call for the upward review of the allowances. He said
<blockquote>Our allowances mean absolutely nothing. The committee that I chair can sit from 8 am to 8 pm working for this country but what they get is a paltry $75, not US dollar. MPs are people who are working tirelessly for this country in these committees.
Being in the committees carries a risk on its own because they expose people who have money and who have the ability to even put a mafia together to deal with MPs on their behalf and what do we get — $75. That has to be reviewed so that MPs are able to execute their duties in a professional manner.
I’ll also talk about the allowances that we get when we leave the country. The allowances that we get are US$50 when leaving Zimbabwe. It’s not enough. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development has to look into this and increase that allowance.
There must be credit cards which are given to MPs when they travel and they must account for them when they come back, not this situation where we get money that is not enough even to buy meals.</blockquote>
<h2>Related:</h2>
<h3 class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/12/28/chamisa-condemns-mdc-mps-for-demanding-land-cruisers-and-suvs-from-govt/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chamisa Condemns MDC MPs For Demanding Land Cruisers And SUVs From Govt</a></h3>
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/mps-demand-increase-in-allowances/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h3>

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