Zimbabwe government increase civil servants salaries, Biti did not agree

GOVERNMENT has agreed to increase civil servants' salaries to a minimum of US$397 effective this month and the onus is now on Finance Minister Tendai Biti to determine when to release the money, it has emerged.

Public Service Deputy Minister Andrew Langa yesterday said Cabinet had agreed to pay between US$253 and US$397 for the least-paid worker.

He said the ministries of Public Service and Finance and the Public Service Commission met two weeks ago and agreed on the figures.

"The three parties met and Minister (Eliphas) Mukonoweshuro was actually the one leading those meetings. He (Mukonoweshuro) after consultations came with two options that is to give the lowest-paid worker US$253 or US$397 and it was agreed that anything in that range is better," he said.

He said Minister Mukonoweshuro presented the proposal to Cabinet two weeks ago and it unanimously agreed on the figures.

However, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai - who was part of these meetings - told the private media on Thursday that the Government had no money to support any salary increase.

Responding to the PM's claims, Deputy Minister Langa said it was disturbing to see PM Tsvangirai opposing Minister Mukonoweshuro who happens to be from his party.

"That man (Mukonoweshuro) has been advocating for a pay rise to the extent of threatening to quit. It's unfortunate that the Prime Minister is going against the President and the whole Cabinet.

"As a ministry, we still stand by what we said - salaries should be increased this June," he said.

Civil servants' unions have also come out guns blazing against PM Tsvangirai and accused Minister Mukonoweshuro of remaining mum on the precise amount Government would pay its workers.

Civil servants take home between US$150 and US$200 per month, way below the poverty datum line estimated to be at US$502.

The Herald has it on good authority that the three principals to the Global Political Agreement met last Friday and agreed that civil servants' salaries should be raised this month.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said the salary issue should be separated from politics.

"Mr Tsvangirai is taking a political stance here, but we stand by what the President has assured us. Instead of politicking, he should be working flat out to support the President in mobilising the resources," he said.

Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo said they were finding it difficult to pacify their restive members because of statements by people like PM Tsvangirai.

"The PM has become so difficult and insensitive to the plight of the workers. We don't know why he is prioritising the continued suffering of State workers.

"His behaviour is in sharp contrast with that of President Mugabe who has fought tooth and nail to review the (salary) package," he said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe added: "We are saddened. The issue is not being given the audience it deserves. We are going to down tools and face those who are refusing with money if we don't get anything by June 21."

Minister Biti has been refusing to increase civil servants' salaries arguing that Treasury has no money.

This is despite reports that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority exceeded its target by 11 percent when it collected revenue amounting to US$618,9 million in the first quarter of this year.

It has also emerged that Treasury officials have advised the Public Service Commission that it was feasible to increase civil servants' salaries to a certain level, a move that riled Minister Biti, who is now at odds with his officials.

Government sources have revealed that Minister Biti is refusing to increase civil servants' salaries because he wants to dance to the whims of the International Monetary Fund so that he can win awards like the best Finance Minister for perpetuating his people into poverty.