Bonus will be paid without fail - Govt

Government has once again reiterated that the public sector employees' 13th cheque will be paid without fail and dates for the payments will be announced soon.

This comes as civil servants' representatives have refuted reports that they will go on strike over the bonuses, saying that they have engaged Government on the best structure of disbursing payments.

Civil servants have been anxious over the delay in bonus payments, but Government has repeatedly said it will burn the candle at both ends to mobilise resources and honour its commitment to pay the 13th cheque.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail last week, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira said Government would not let down its workers on the bonus payments.

"Regarding the issue of payment of 2015 annual bonuses, my Ministry is currently finalising consultations with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development," she said.

"It should be noted that Government has not reneged on its commitment to pay annual bonuses. As soon as the consultations are through, dates for payment will be announced."

Minister Mupfumira said it is Government policy to pay bonuses on an indiscriminate scale.

"Civil servants have always been belittled and ridiculed from all corners of society. Government has since restructured to ensure that all civil servants are qualified for whatever position held," she said.

"Therefore, Government does not share the sentiments that its employees are drunkards, but professionals that are responsible for the administration of the country in terms of Section 199 of the Constitution.

"There has never been an official position regarding the alleged wayward behaviour and they deserve to be paid their bonuses. Government is yet to implement performance related bonuses."

Recently, some statements were attributed to Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo who is said to have argued that civil servants' bonuses must be performance related.

Commenting on the payment structure, Minister Mupfumira said it is common for Government to stagger payments.

"Historically, pay dates have always been structured as such without problems. Government adheres to the principle of quality and impartiality hence does not favour any group of its employees, it treats them equally.

"Staggering pay dates for employees has been the norm and Government has considered numbers of personnel in each sector considering the rate at which it can mobilise resources.

"It is imperative to note that all sectors get their salaries after every four weeks."
Speaking to this The Sunday Mail yesterday, Apex Council representative, Mr Sifiso Ndlovu dismissed reports of a looming civil servants strike over bonus.

"It is not true that we are planning a strike, what we have simply done, as Zimta, is that we have taken the Government to court over the issue.

"The commitment to pay bonuses from His Excellency is very clear. What is not clear however, is the date of payment. So we are waiting for the Minister of Labour (Mupfumira) to confirm a date of payment.

"The rumour that we are planning to strike is not true at all," he stressed.
President of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, Mr Ruchard Gundani concurred with Mr Ndlovu.

"We are not at the point of striking. We understand Government's position on the bonuses and consultations are ongoing.

"We are waiting for a meeting to be held on February 10, which is a follow up meeting to discussions we held on the 6th of January."