Civil servants await July pay dates announcement

THE government will on Friday announce the civil servants' pay dates for this month, while that for June for the rest of its workers has been brought forward by a day. This was revealed at a national joint negotiating council (NJNC) meeting held in Harare yesterday, where pay dates for this month and the following months were discussed.

In a statement last night, the Government said the rest of the civil service will get their June pay tomorrow, not Thursday.

The government representatives told the civil servants' representatives that they had not received information from Treasury, where the dates are determined. The civil servants warned the government against inciting another job action due to non-payment of salaries on time.

Public Service Association (PSA) president Mrs Cecilia Alexander said it was not the workers' wish to stay at home but it was impossible for them to report for work when they had no money.

"We demanded that pay dates be brought forward for purposes of planning but the government was not ready to release the dates. We expressed concern about the pensioners' pay dates because they're a vulnerable group and should not be taken advantage of.

"According to their report, they thought that the dates would be out today (yesterday) but they have promised to furnish us on Friday after consulting Treasury," said Mrs Alexander.

She said they also raised the issue of victimisation of teachers who took part in the strike.

"We received information that some Government workers' salaries were withheld because they took part in the job action. This is happening in some parts of the country. "The Government, however, said it did not give any instruction to punish those who were involved. They have since requested a report before they address the issue," said Mrs Alexander.

Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (Zimta) president Mr Richard Gundane said it was important for the Government to make sure that there is no repeat of what happened last week.

"They told us that they're not ready with the pay dates for the month of July and we're not happy. They said the pay dates are determined by the processes from Treasury and they had not received any information regarding the pay dates so far," said Mr Gundane.

"It's because of the Government that civil servants downed tools last week. We advised them that they should make sure that this does not happen again. If the Government doesn't pay its workers, they have no choice but to stay at home because they are incapacitated," said Mr Gundane.

He also expressed concern about the teachers who did not receive their June salaries after being accused of taking part in the strike. "We received information that some teachers in Mashonaland Central Province didn't receive their June salaries. They were accused of being part of the strike.

"We raised the issue during the meeting and we were asked to provide evidence, which we will do and make sure that the teachers get their salaries," said Mr Gundane.

He added that they will continue to push the Government to pay civil servants and stick to the traditional pay dates.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira could not be reached for comment yesterday. She is on record saying the government is facing revenue generation challenges due to the depressed economy.

The Government normally pays its workforce mid-­month but has of late been forced to break tradition owing to revenue challenges.

Doctors and nurses got their salaries on July 8 instead of July 14 as earlier announced after President Mugabe intervened in the salary standoff between civil servants and the Government.

He ordered responsible ministers to work flat out to ensure that critical departments such as the health sector receive their salaries in the shortest period possible.

Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa said civil servants who are yet to receive their June salaries will now be paid on July 13, and not 14, as previously advised.