Salary delays disappoint civil servants - Apex Council

The civil service apex body has expressed concern with the unilateral decision taken by the government to change pay dates for this month.

Following a treasury circular that announced the staggering of June pay dates for civil servants, the Apex Council, held a press conference this Monday afternoon to express its displeasure.

Apex Council Chairperson, Ms Cecilia Alexander complained that there was no consultation before the announcement was made.

She said they are also not happy that the government decided to announce through the media just 48 hours after holding a national joint negotiating committee meeting with the associations, where the issue to move pay dates was not discussed.

According to the circular released last week, members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) will be paid on the 27th of June followed by police and prison officers who will be paid on the 30th of June.

The education sector will be paid on 7 July followed by health workers and the rest of the civil service on 14 July.

Pensioners will get their dues on 19 July.

However, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Prisca Mupfumira has conceded that the government is facing revenue challenges but is committed to pay its workers.

The Apex council Confirmed that Minister Mupfumira has since called for a consultative meeting with civil servants representatives, officials from the Civil Service Commission, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor and officials from the Ministry of Finance to discuss the matter.