'Civil servants to get their annual bonuses without any hassles'

ASSOCIATIONS representing civil servants have welcomed government's decision to pay its large workforce the 13th cheque at a time when most companies are struggling to pay their workers' salaries.

The associations, however, want government to give priority to the provision of non-monetary benefits for its workers as the paying of bonuses to civil servants was traditional and largely expected.

They said they would only celebrate when the government has honoured all its promises to its workers.

Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, announced on Thursday that civil servants would this year get their annual bonuses without any hassles. He said his ministry was already mobilising resources towards the paying of bonuses, which is usually staggered between November and December.

Public Service Association president Cecilia Alexander said as much as they appreciated government's efforts to pay civil servants bonuses, they felt shortchanged because government was yet to fulfil its other promises.

"We have just learnt about the payment of bonuses but its nothing to celebrate. The government is obligated to pay its workers bonuses every year. It's part of the conditions and it's expected to be done.

"We want to appeal for engagement with government. We made submissions but no discussions have taken place so far. The year is coming to an end and not much has been done for the workers," said Alexander.

She said it was important for the government to consult civil servants in the formulation process of the national budget so that there is progress in respect of the civil servants' welfare.

Zimta chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu, said:

"We'll not celebrate the bonuses because we were expecting them. The government is obliged to pay us bonuses every year. We were going to be surprised if the government had failed or expressed unwillingness to do so. We, however, want to know when exactly the bonuses are coming for budgeting purposes.

"We are more concerned about non-monetary benefits that the government promised civil servants. Up to now we have not met to address this issue."

Ndlovu added: "We want the government to address all our concerns, which include housing, debunching of workers, as well as pension reforms at least before the end of the year."

He said although an attempt was made sometime this year to debunch workers, there was no impact as workers were still bunched up with a difference of just $1 between grades.

"Due to such conditions, civil servants are demoralised and feel useless. Some see no reason to stay on the job. It is therefore important for the government to prioritise and finalise these issues to improve the welfare of its workers.

"In terms of housing, the government should come out clean and produce results. Nothing has been done so far for the civil servants. Zimta established its own housing scheme for its members and the Zimbabwe National Army has its own benefit fund, but all civil servants deserve decent housing and good working conditions," said Ndlovu.