Chinamasa's proposal on civil servants salaries, bonuses rejected

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Christopher Mushohwe has clarified the government's position regarding cost-cutting measures related to the public service wage bill raised in the Mid-Term Fiscal Review statement.

In last week mid-term budget review, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Patrick Chinamasa proposed a reduction of salaries and allowances for civil servants, suspension of bonuses, taxation of allowances for civil servants, introduction of vehicle loan schemes from director grade going downwards, and import parity pricing for maize for 2016/17 season, among other measures.

In a statement today, Minister Mushohwe, however, clarified government's position on issues raised in the mid-term fiscal review statement, saying it had become necessary in view of the genuine concerns within the civil service on their conditions of service and job security, and on farmers in respect of agricultural pricing for 2016/2017 maize crop.

According to ZBC, Minister Mushohwe said for the record, Minister Chinamasa's proposals were tabled before cabinet on the 12th July 2016 as part of cost-cutting measures to facilitate economic recovery.

He explained that after extensive deliberations, cost-cutting measures relating to the civil service were rejected, and the position of the cabinet is that Minister Chinamasa did not take into account the rejection by cabinet earlier on.

Dr Mushohwe also noted that at the last cabinet of 12th September 2016 the proposals were rejected, adding that the President and cabinet want to assure the civil servants, the farmers and the public at large that these proposed measures are not friendly operative.

The clarification of the government position is expected to put to rest anxieties that may have arisen within the civil service, the farming community, and the public at large.