Govt pay rise a done deal

Zimbabwe's government has announced a salary adjustment for civil servants and pensioners effective April 1, as part of a broader effort to improve welfare and align remuneration with job responsibilities.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said the increment follows a comprehensive job evaluation exercise conducted by government to ensure fair and structured compensation across the public sector.

Addressing a press briefing in Bulawayo, Moyo said while specific figures could not yet be disclosed, the adjustment reflects government's commitment to supporting workers amid prevailing economic challenges.

"The Government of Zimbabwe reaffirms its unwavering commitment to improving the welfare and conditions of service for public servants and pensioners," he said.

The move is aligned with national policy frameworks, including Vision 2030 and broader economic transformation plans aimed at building a responsive and motivated public service.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa had previously pledged to review civil servants' salaries, with the latest announcement seen as fulfilment of that commitment.

In addition to salary increases, government has introduced measures to improve working conditions, including strengthening occupational safety and health systems and expanding access to affordable housing for public workers.

The Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, led by Cecilia Alexander, confirmed acceptance of the government's offer following negotiations.

"After deliberations, we accepted the offer in view of the urgent need to provide immediate relief to workers under the current economic conditions," she said.

According to the unions, the existing US$320 component of salaries will be maintained, with the remaining portion paid in the local currency and indexed to the prevailing exchange rate under a blended salary system.

The revised structure is also expected to address salary compression by recognising seniority across grades.

However, unions raised concerns over the job evaluation process, citing limited consultation and the absence of a clear independent appeals mechanism. Government has since agreed to convene a stakeholder workshop to provide clarity on the framework.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently said authorities remain focused on protecting the purchasing power of civil servants and ensuring salaries stay above the poverty datum line.

"Our thrust is to protect the purchasing power of civil servants and ensure that their earnings are not eroded by inflationary pressures," Ncube said.

Authorities maintain that the blended salary model — combining United States dollar payments with a local currency component — is designed to cushion workers against exchange rate volatility while maintaining value.

While the increment has been welcomed as a necessary relief measure, unions have urged government to introduce additional safeguards to preserve the value of the local currency portion, warning that stability will be key to sustaining the benefits of the adjustment.