Zimbabwe govt workers stampede for early retirement

Government workers across Zimbabwe are increasingly opting for early retirement, with union leaders warning that poor salaries and deteriorating working conditions are driving a wave of exits across the civil service, including the security sector.

The trend is particularly pronounced among employees approaching the minimum service requirement of 20 years, enticed by exit packages exceeding US$10,000. Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa's 2024 decision to extend the normal service period for police, army, and prison officers from 20 to 30 years, many junior officers are resigning as soon as they qualify for the lump-sum benefits.

A senior security officer described morale as "extremely low," citing inadequate pay, scarce benefits, and difficult working conditions as key factors pushing personnel out.

Teachers are also leaving in alarming numbers. Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZimTA) secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said, "Teachers are retiring at an alarming rate. The retirement package of up to US$10,000, partly in US dollars, is attracting many. Others are moving to the private sector. The uncertainty of the economic environment is driving this decision -  no one wants to wait and risk losing out later."

Unions attribute the surge in retirements to the introduction of partial US-dollar payouts after years of exit packages being largely paid in local currency, which rapidly depreciated. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe warned that many retirees quickly exhaust their lump-sum benefits, leaving them financially vulnerable, with some even attempting to rejoin the civil service or seek work abroad.

The early retirement trend is also affecting service delivery, with slow replacement of retirees leaving vacancies unfilled for months or years. "People are leaving, but there is no replacement. The few remaining workers are overburdened, creating a crisis across departments," Majongwe said.

Public Service Commission secretary Sibusisiwe Zembe did not comment, citing ongoing meetings. Meanwhile, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro downplayed the situation, stating that retirements were normal and replacements were being budgeted for accordingly.

Civil servants currently earn around US$300 plus ZiG5,000 -  a package unions say falls far below the cost of living, further incentivising early retirement as a survival strategy.