News / National
Teachers, Govt to square off over $50 deductions
30 Dec 2015 at 06:22hrs | Views
TEACHERS are in a fresh fight with Government after Treasury without notice deducted $50 for pension contributions.
They described the unilateral pension deductions as a recipe for disaster.
Civil servants have not been paying pension since 2009 when everyone was getting a flat $100 allowance.
Zimbabwe Teachers' Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said members were now being consulted on the way forward.
"This has not given us any joy at all. Our salaries have been delayed and on top of that they have been deducted without any explanation. We are also surprised as to why will they (government) bring up the issue of pension in December," Ndlovu said.
"This has added to the anger of educators that they are not being paid on time and on the other hand their take-home pay is being deducted. At the moment we are engaging our members so that we have their views as to the way forward."
In Bulawayo one of the teachers, Similo Mukarati said they felt abused by the government.
"We have been working the whole year and no such deduction has been made. At first when I received my balance through the phone I thought it was a mistake," Mukarati said.
"I then asked some of my colleagues who have collected their payslips and they told me that there was an increase in pension deduction. What is troubling us is that why this increase in pension which they have not collected for years?"
Acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Lazarus Dokora assured civil servants who are yet to receive their salaries that while Government faced numerous obligations, salaries were statutory and the employer would not renege on paying them.
"Government has promised and it will fulfil that. Yes, there are challenges here and there, but the workers should know that resource constraints does not mean the promise has been forgotten.
"I am happy this day has come to pass (teachers being paid) and we continue to look forward to other commitments that have been made. I want to encourage workers to keep their calm and allow Government to proceed to fulfil its part."
However, despite the non-contribution by members, Government continued paying out full pension benefits to members after termination of employment.
They described the unilateral pension deductions as a recipe for disaster.
Civil servants have not been paying pension since 2009 when everyone was getting a flat $100 allowance.
Zimbabwe Teachers' Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said members were now being consulted on the way forward.
"This has not given us any joy at all. Our salaries have been delayed and on top of that they have been deducted without any explanation. We are also surprised as to why will they (government) bring up the issue of pension in December," Ndlovu said.
"This has added to the anger of educators that they are not being paid on time and on the other hand their take-home pay is being deducted. At the moment we are engaging our members so that we have their views as to the way forward."
In Bulawayo one of the teachers, Similo Mukarati said they felt abused by the government.
"We have been working the whole year and no such deduction has been made. At first when I received my balance through the phone I thought it was a mistake," Mukarati said.
"I then asked some of my colleagues who have collected their payslips and they told me that there was an increase in pension deduction. What is troubling us is that why this increase in pension which they have not collected for years?"
Acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Lazarus Dokora assured civil servants who are yet to receive their salaries that while Government faced numerous obligations, salaries were statutory and the employer would not renege on paying them.
"Government has promised and it will fulfil that. Yes, there are challenges here and there, but the workers should know that resource constraints does not mean the promise has been forgotten.
"I am happy this day has come to pass (teachers being paid) and we continue to look forward to other commitments that have been made. I want to encourage workers to keep their calm and allow Government to proceed to fulfil its part."
However, despite the non-contribution by members, Government continued paying out full pension benefits to members after termination of employment.
Source - Newsday, Herald
