The first National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting for 2023 is set to be held on Thursday, 2 March 2023.
The National Joint Negotiating Council is a platform that brings together government representatives and unions representing civil servants to tackle issues to do with salaries and conditions of service for civil servants.
In a statement issued this Wednesday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said:
<blockquote>
We wish to advise members of the Public Service that parties to the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) are currently finalising position papers for tabling in Council for consideration.
Accordingly, members are advised that the 2023 National Joint Negotiating Council inaugural meeting that had been pencilled for 1 March 2023 has been moved to the 2nd of March 2023.
The Government remains committed to improving the welfare and conditions of service for members of the Public Service.
This round of negotiations is in line with the Government’s commitment that a review will be done in the first quarter of 2023.
</blockquote>
Over the past few years, Civil servants have been pushing for the restoration of their salaries to pre-October 2018 levels when the lowest-paid government worker took home at least US$500.
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Govt, Civil Servants Meet For Negotiations On Thursday

Teachers have implored the government to urgently review their salaries to US$1 260 per month for them to make ends meet.
Initially, teachers were demanding the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries of US$540 but raised the figure to US$840 at the last National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
On Wednesday, teachers held a crisis meeting in Harare and resolved that the employer should increase their salaries to US$1 260.
The crisis meeting sought to interrogate challenges faced by education sector employees.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007879/teachers-demand-us1-200-pay">NewsDay</a>, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure, said:
<blockquote>
We have never at any point demanded luxuries, but just the basics, food, school fees for our children, healthcare, clothing, transport to and from work, accommodation, electricity and water. Our list excludes basics like internet, savings and entertainment.
If we were to prepare a bill to give (Finance minister) Mthuli Ncube, we could come up with a figure way above the US$540 we have all along been clamouring for.
Our bill to Mthuli amounts to US$1 260. How much is Mthuli paying us — a gross total of US$200?
For Mthuli, the housing allowance is just US$7.50 and transport for a whole month is worth US$7.50. In short, Mthuli wants us to walk to work and live in caves.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said the government should review teachers’ salaries to US$540 and use it as a starting point for further increases.
Teachers Association of Zimbabwe secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said:
<blockquote>
Our last paper at the National Joint Negotiating Council was demanding an US$840 wage. In terms of a demand for a thousand plus salary, our members could be right.
However, from a rational and argumentative position, the entry point should be at least US$840.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions president Cecilia Alexander told NewsDay that “unions were justified in their quest to demand US$1 260 considering the high cost of living in the country”.
Efforts by NewsDay to get a comment from PSC secretary Simon Masanga were fruitless as his phone was not reachable.

Teachers Demand US$1 200 Salary

The National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) will meet to review civil servants’ conditions before the end of March, a cabinet minister has said.
In an interview with State media in Zvishavane on Sunday, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Paul Mavima said the government is committed to reviewing civil servants’ conditions of service. Mavima said:
<blockquote>
The National Joint Negotiating Council meeting to review the civil servant’s conditions of service will be held this quarter as the Government reaffirms its commitment to review their remuneration package.
The NJNC will meet and iron out pressing issues. We are letting everyone know that we are going to have that meeting for reviews but people have to know that whatever comes out of there will depend on what is available to the nation.
</blockquote>
He urged civil servants to be moderate in their demands.
Mavima thanked civil servants, particularly teachers, for not going on strike when schools reopened last week, saying the government understands their stance on salaries. He said:
<blockquote>
The first school term started very smoothly. Even though civil servants are saying there should be a review of their salaries, it is not an antagonistic stance that they are taking and it is understandable.
But remember in 2022, President Mnangagwa did a lot for civil servants culminating in an additional US$200 that was given to every civil servant.
At the moment we are happy with civil servants, with no strikes but they are just urging the Government to review their conditions of service.
</blockquote>
In 2022, the government awarded civil servants a 20 percent salary increment across the board backdated to 1 January.
But civil servants have consistently demanded that the government restores their pre-October 2018 salaries of US$540. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/njnc-to-review-civil-servants-conditions/">Chronicle</a>

NJNC To Review Civil Servant’s Conditions Of Service - Mavima

The government says it is experiencing financial constraints and therefore cannot afford to pay civil servants bonuses at once, and will spread the payment of the 13th cheque over two months, that is, November and December.
This came out during a National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting held on Monday, 7 November 2022, in Harare.
The NJNC brings together the government and unions representing civil servants for negotiations on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
During yesterday’s NJNC meeting, the government said it would pay all employees 50% of their bonuses this month, while the balance would be paid next month.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Unions president Cecilia Alexander said it was agreed that all civil servants from the deputy director level and below would receive their bonuses unconditionally. She said:
<blockquote>
The workers’ side representatives met with the government on the 7th of November 2022 to deliberate on quite a number of issues, chief among them is the payment modalities of 2022 annual bonuses.
The meeting agreed that all civil servants from deputy director grade and below will receive their bonuses unconditionally.
The bonuses will be accorded in two tranches starting from November to December across the board.
Fifty percent of the annual bonus will be paid per the said months plus the usual earnings.
</blockquote>
Alexander said outstanding fees for teachers’ children would also be paid in batches for all terms in December through the Salary Service Bureau. She added:
<blockquote>
On performance advancement, all members will be rightfully placed in their grades in January 2023, while the arrears will be worked upon thereafter.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, said while the government should be commended for paying bonuses unconditionally, it was disheartening that teachers were paid far less compared to other civil servants. Said Majongwe:
<blockquote>
We applaud the government’s first step to treat all workers unconditionally. However, we continue imploring the employer to do likewise on salary earnings.
We are not happy with the current salary discrepancies that have seen teachers earning less than the rest of the civil servants when we are working for the same employer.
</blockquote>
Nurses and soldiers earn significantly higher salaries than police officers and teachers, which has been a bone of contention for the latter. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003218/govt-to-spread-bonus-payment">NewsDay</a>

Govt To Spread Bonus Payment Across November And December

The government on Monday reversed its controversial plan to pay performance-based bonuses to some civil servants.
In the past, the government had paid a uniform 13th cheque to public sector workers but recently announced that only deserving workers will get a bonus.
A National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting was held today where public sector union representatives pressed the government to scrap its plan to award bonuses based on performance.
Cecilia Alexander, the president of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), told reporters:
<blockquote>
The workers’ side representatives met the government to deliberate on quite a number of issues, chief among them the payment modalities of the 2022 annual bonus.
The meeting resolved that all civil servants from deputy director grade and below will receive their bonuses unconditionally.
</blockquote>
She said the government cited cash-flow challenges and as a result agreed to pay the bonus over two months, with half of the bonus payment set to be effected alongside November salaries, and the other in December.
Alexander also said the government committed to paying outstanding school fees for teachers’ children in December.
The government also said it would place civil servants in their proper grades starting in January 2023, said Alexander. | <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/11/performance-based-bonus-scraped-for-civil-servants-after-outcry/">ZimLive</a>

Govt Scraps Performance-based Bonus For Junior Civil Servants

The National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) is scheduled to meet on Monday morning with the issue of modalities for the payment of the 2022 bonus on the agenda.
The NJNC brings together the government and unions representing civil servants for negotiations on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
A letter dated 7 November 2022, addressed to Apex Council chairperson, Cecilia Alexander, by the NJNC chairman, reads in part:
<blockquote>
The Chairperson of the National Joint Negotiation Council (NJNC) invites members to an NJNC meeting to be held on 07 November 2022 at 1100hrs in the 9th Floor Boardroom, Kaguvi Building.
</blockquote>
Last week, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Paul Mavima said that civil servants will start receiving the 13th cheque this month.
He, however, said some top civil servants, that is, heads of Government departments who signed performance contracts will not receive their bonuses if they fail to meet their targets.
Civil servants are demanding an unconditional 13th cheque and a living wage.

Govt, Civil Servants' Unions Meet This Monday

Civil servants have rejected a US$25 increment offered by the government and are instead pushing for more.
The government recently offered a US$25 increment to public sector employees to give a total of US$200 during the last National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting.
However, Apex Council secretary David Dzatsunga told <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/civil-servants-want-njnc-disbanded/">Business Times</a> that the NJNC should be disbanded and replaced with a body that allows genuine dialogue. Said Dzatsunga:
<blockquote>
The government offered a US$25 without workers’ consultation and the workers have rejected that amount describing the increment as too little.
Dialogue is still ongoing as we are still expecting the government representatives.
The government is promising to pay US$200 in October but it has not attended to the ZWL component which has remained static.
The medical aid covers, funeral policies and other levies have increased in ZWL$ at a time the local currency remained static and this has left the amount eroded.
If they had been on CBC [Collective Bargaining Chamber] we would have negotiated for the increase of both components but because it is NJNC the government has the upper hand and is dictating the pace.
</blockquote>
Dzatsunga said wages in local currency remained static while the RTGS has depreciated and needs an urgent increment.
Meanwhile, the lowest-paid civil servant is getting ZWL$36 000 per month.
Government workers are demanding a pre-October 2018 salary level of US$540 a month.
This comes as the country’s cost of living for a family of six rose by 263% to ZWL$274 858.75 in the month of August from ZWL$75 757.62 in January.

Civil Servants Push For Zimbabwe Dollar Salary Hike

Civil servants want the government to speed up the disbandment of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
The representatives of civil servants accuse the government of manipulating the platform to its advantage while neglecting the interests of workers.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/civil-servants-want-njnc-disbanded/">Business Times</a>, Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) secretary David Dzatsunga said:
<blockquote>
In terms of the social dialogue framework, we should move away from NJNC which is a consultative forum to a Collective Bargaining Chamber where we meet as equals.
Under NJNC, the government representatives say they are going to consult but they will just disappear into thin air and the next day you just see an amount which you have not discussed.
</blockquote>
Recently, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima revealed that the government was replacing the NJNC with the Collective Bargaining Chamber (CBC). He said:
<blockquote>
We are in the process of creating a CBC to replace the NJNC. I, therefore, call upon you all to give your views on this exciting development and to ensure that you contribute meaningfully to this process.
</blockquote>
However, the Collective Bargaining Chamber is yet to materialise.
Some unions representing civil servants have accused the government of hand-picking “friendly” unions to attend NJNC.

Civil Servants Want NJNC Disbanded

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has scoffed at the US$25 increment to public sector workers’ allowances by the government, describing it as too little.
On Tuesday, the government and public sector unions met under the National Joint Negotiating Forum where the new offer was tabled. 
Posting on Twitter on Tuesday, PTUZ said the paltry increment will lead to industrial action by teachers. It said:
<blockquote>
The govt, as usual, thinks it’s all a joke. An increment of only $25 when service providers have already wiped out more than that, really?
It would seem that govt is pushing teachers towards real action. It’s a dog’s breakfast.
</blockquote>
In a letter updating public sector workers on Tuesday on the outcome of the NJNC, Apex Council chairperson Cecelia Alexander said the wage increase is with effect from 1 September 2022. She wrote:
<blockquote>
The employer offered an increase of 25 % on the USD100 to make USD125 and maintained the USD75 Covid allowances to make the total USD package USD200 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.
</blockquote>

Teachers Union Say US$25 Pay Rise Is "A Joke"

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 government has reportedly decided to revive the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) after civil servants threatened to go on strike on 26 September 2022.
The NJNC brought together the government and unions representing civil servants for negotiations on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
In July this year, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/civil-servants-quit-national-joint-negotiating-council/">the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union (FOZEU) advised the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima, that they had quit the NJNC.</a>
Meanwhile, in a letter dated 19 September 2022 and addressed to the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), Cecilia Alexander, one S Tarupuwa, writing on behalf of the NJNC chairman, invited civil servants’ leaders to a meeting this Tuesday.
The letter, which was copied to Mavima and the Permanent Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, read in part:
<blockquote>
The Chairperson of the National Joint Negotiation Council (NJNC) invites members to an NJNC meeting to be held on 20 September 2022 at 1130hrs in the 9th Floor Boardroom, Kaguvi Building.
</blockquote>
The matters on the agenda included the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the 2023 Annual Bonuses.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) said instead of trying to revive NJNC, the government should simply fulfil the September salary review pledge or face the wrath of the workers on 26 September.

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