News / National
Zimbabwe public servants pay confusion continues
12 Jul 2011 at 05:58hrs | Views
The on and off payrises for Public Servants in Zimbabwe have descended into even more confusion following a meeting between the Government and Public Servants unions.
Minister for the Public Service, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro announced after the meeting that the Government had not awarded a salary increment but Chairwoman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Tendai Chikowore announced the "deal had been done".
She said the increase had been agreed to by Government representatives and the deal she announced was binding.
Mr Mukonoweshuro said however that at this stage the plans coming from the meeting were merely 'proposals' and needed to be put to Cabinet.
He said as far as the Government was concerned, negotiations had not run their full course.
"I am informed that there was progress made in the negotiations," Mr Mukonoweshuro said.
"Cabinet will deliberate on the recommendations and only after that, will Cabinet or the Government make an announcement."
He said the announcement made by the Joint Negotiating Council was baseless, irresponsible and intended to cause friction within the national unity Government, which has found it hard to agree on PS pay conditions.
He said the Council did not have the authority to make announcements, which was his responsibility as Minister for the Public Service.
"I can only make the announcement with Cabinet approval, and an announcement will be made when the process is cleared," he said.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai expressed dismay over the announced pay increases, noting they were below the official poverty line but would throw the budget into deficit anyway as the Government lacked the funds to meet any new costs.
The announced increases would mean the lowest-earning civil servant, an office orderly, would receive a take home salary of $253 a month, up from $186.
"As far as I am concerned negotiations are still underway and I am yet to receive details of the proceedings of the last Apex Council meeting," Mr Mukonoweshuro said.
Minister for the Public Service, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro announced after the meeting that the Government had not awarded a salary increment but Chairwoman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Tendai Chikowore announced the "deal had been done".
She said the increase had been agreed to by Government representatives and the deal she announced was binding.
Mr Mukonoweshuro said however that at this stage the plans coming from the meeting were merely 'proposals' and needed to be put to Cabinet.
He said as far as the Government was concerned, negotiations had not run their full course.
"I am informed that there was progress made in the negotiations," Mr Mukonoweshuro said.
He said the announcement made by the Joint Negotiating Council was baseless, irresponsible and intended to cause friction within the national unity Government, which has found it hard to agree on PS pay conditions.
He said the Council did not have the authority to make announcements, which was his responsibility as Minister for the Public Service.
"I can only make the announcement with Cabinet approval, and an announcement will be made when the process is cleared," he said.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai expressed dismay over the announced pay increases, noting they were below the official poverty line but would throw the budget into deficit anyway as the Government lacked the funds to meet any new costs.
The announced increases would mean the lowest-earning civil servant, an office orderly, would receive a take home salary of $253 a month, up from $186.
"As far as I am concerned negotiations are still underway and I am yet to receive details of the proceedings of the last Apex Council meeting," Mr Mukonoweshuro said.
Source - www.psnews.com.au
