News / National
Civil servants have started receiving their bonuses
16 Nov 2011 at 19:22hrs | Views
SOME civil servants have started receiving their bonuses, while the rest are expected to get their 13th cheque next month.
Soldiers started withdrawing their bonuses this week, while the police will get theirs next week.
Sources yesterday said junior members of the uniformed forces, who earn an average US$300, had over US$600 deposited in their accounts.
Public Service Commission executive secretary Mr Emmanuel Tichareva confirmed the development yesterday, saying the position had since been communicated to Apex Council leaders.
The council represents all civil servants.
Said Mr Tichareva: "It is true that the uniformed forces are receiving their bonuses this month, while those from the education sector and other ministries will receive theirs in December.
"The reason for this is mainly because the Government doesn't have enough money and they are trying to balance the fiscus.
"This has been communicated to the leaders of the Apex Council and I am sure they have communicated that to their members."
Zimta chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday confirmed that they had been informed of the development.
"That's the official position. We were informed about it and we have since communicated that to our members. In fact, Minister Tendai Biti (Finance) told us about it," he said.
Public Service Deputy Minister Andrew Langa yesterday said Government will ensure all civil servants get their bonuses.
"All the civil servants deserve bonuses because it was budgeted for in this year's national budget. I am concerned why they are not getting the bonuses now but I am confident something is being worked out. I am sure those putting the resources together are doing so.
"We have been giving bonuses to our employees since 1980 and there is no reason why we can fail to do so this year."
Secretary for Finance Mr Willard Manungo yesterday said: "The reason for the staggering is lack of fiscal space".
He added that it was every Zimbabwean's responsibility to ensure there were no price distortions because of bonuses.
"There are financial challenges at the moment and for other Government programmes to continue, there is need to manage the cash flow," he said.
"It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including retailers, to make sure that prices are not increased unjustifiably.
"We don't want a situation where Government will be forced to take corrective measures, people should just avoid reaping where they did not sow."
Prices of groceries went up about two weeks ago, but have since stabilised.
Last year, the Government also staggered bonus payments for civil servants with uniformed forces and the education ministry getting their 13th cheque in November, while other workers got theirs in December.
After salary increments that were awared in July, the Government's salary bill went up to around US$104 million per month, which means Treasury will have to part with about US$210 million between November and December.
The tax-free bonus threshold will be announced when the Finance Minister announces the 2012 National Budget next Tuesday.
Last year's tax-free bonus was US$500.
Soldiers started withdrawing their bonuses this week, while the police will get theirs next week.
Sources yesterday said junior members of the uniformed forces, who earn an average US$300, had over US$600 deposited in their accounts.
Public Service Commission executive secretary Mr Emmanuel Tichareva confirmed the development yesterday, saying the position had since been communicated to Apex Council leaders.
The council represents all civil servants.
Said Mr Tichareva: "It is true that the uniformed forces are receiving their bonuses this month, while those from the education sector and other ministries will receive theirs in December.
"The reason for this is mainly because the Government doesn't have enough money and they are trying to balance the fiscus.
"This has been communicated to the leaders of the Apex Council and I am sure they have communicated that to their members."
Zimta chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday confirmed that they had been informed of the development.
"That's the official position. We were informed about it and we have since communicated that to our members. In fact, Minister Tendai Biti (Finance) told us about it," he said.
Public Service Deputy Minister Andrew Langa yesterday said Government will ensure all civil servants get their bonuses.
"All the civil servants deserve bonuses because it was budgeted for in this year's national budget. I am concerned why they are not getting the bonuses now but I am confident something is being worked out. I am sure those putting the resources together are doing so.
Secretary for Finance Mr Willard Manungo yesterday said: "The reason for the staggering is lack of fiscal space".
He added that it was every Zimbabwean's responsibility to ensure there were no price distortions because of bonuses.
"There are financial challenges at the moment and for other Government programmes to continue, there is need to manage the cash flow," he said.
"It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including retailers, to make sure that prices are not increased unjustifiably.
"We don't want a situation where Government will be forced to take corrective measures, people should just avoid reaping where they did not sow."
Prices of groceries went up about two weeks ago, but have since stabilised.
Last year, the Government also staggered bonus payments for civil servants with uniformed forces and the education ministry getting their 13th cheque in November, while other workers got theirs in December.
After salary increments that were awared in July, the Government's salary bill went up to around US$104 million per month, which means Treasury will have to part with about US$210 million between November and December.
The tax-free bonus threshold will be announced when the Finance Minister announces the 2012 National Budget next Tuesday.
Last year's tax-free bonus was US$500.
Source - TH
