Harare City Council Pays Staff With Stands?

HARARE City councillors are toying with plans to reduce council's salary backlog by offering stands to some of the workers in lieu of their outstanding dues.

The proposal was tabled at last week's full council meeting by the human resources committee after noting that the local authority's revenue base was shrinking each month as residents were failing to pay their bills.

"Arising from the discussion on the status of employees' salaries outlined elsewhere in these minutes, the committee enquired about confirmation of rumours regarding the above matter (proposal to offset employee arrears with stands).

"The acting director of human capital advised that the proposal emanated from the employees and was still at the preliminary stage with consultations still underway," read the approved minutes.

Council has not paid its employees' salaries for the past four months due to a depleted revenue base.

According to council minutes, the city was yet to clear March salaries for the bulk of its staff with some being paid their April dues.

"The committee felt that there was need to improve on salary payments as well as to ensure that the salaries were paid harmoniously across all grades," read part of the minutes.

Meanwhile, Harare City Council says it is owed in excess of$513 million by residents, government departments and other service users.

Council ponders offsetting salary arrears with stands.