Teachers demand duty free cars and residential stands

TEACHERS have tabled a proposal to be allocated residential stands and be exempted from paying duty when they import cars among other non-monetary incentives, in lieu of their salaries, in light of Government's apparent challenges to mobilise adequate resources to pay its workers on time.

The proposal comes after the Government last month shifted civil servants pay dates for the month of June into July, citing cash flow challenges. This jerked Government workers into protest, but the job action, a flop, ended on Friday after teachers and health workers got their dues on Thursday and Friday respectively. The rest of civil servants and pensioners are expected to be paid latest on 19 July, although the Apex Council is lobbying to have dates brought forward.

Progressive Teachers' Union president Mr Takavafira Zhou said while civil servants acknowledge Government's predicament they also expected their employer to come up with initiatives that motivate workers. He said most civil servants could not afford to buy stands to build houses yet Government owns vast tracts of land some of which could be parcelled out to workers as a percentage of their salaries.

"Government owns land yet its employees don't have residential stands to build houses. About 85 percent of civil servants are living in rented houses which is undesirable. Now that our employer is struggling to raise enough money to pay us on time and in full, why not say this month we are able to pay you so much and for the remainder here is a stand to build your house. Half a loaf is better than nothing," he said.

Mr Zhou added: "Government can give us land in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru and all other areas which we will then develop as the Apex council and sell the stands to civil servants at reasonable prices."

He said Government should also consider to exempt civil servants from paying duty when importing vehicles as a way of motivating them as well as increase their mobility while carrying out their duties.

"We are also asking for duty free cars for civil servants, particularly teachers. Say for five years an individual is allowed to import one car duty free. Teachers, especially those in remote areas deserve cars to ensure that their contact with pupils is not compromised. Imagine teachers who travel long distances to get their salaries using public transport. They often miss two or so days of class which can be avoided if they are mobile," he said.

Zimta chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu concurred with Mr Zhou saying they tabled with Government the request of non-monetary incentives to workers last year. He said with the prevailing cash flow challenges at Treasury, civil servants would accept other forms of payment.

"Obviously we will accept all other forms of non-monetary payments including residential stands. Government has also suggested plastic money, a proposal we are willing to consider as civil servants," he said.