Civil servants get salary increment

Harare (New Ziana) – The government has increased civil servants salaries with effect from this month, a senior cabinet minister said on Tuesday.

But Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa did not give details of the increment, only saying it would be what government had proposed in recent negotiations with civil servant union representatives.

Civil servants, citing the rising cost of living, had been pressing for a salary increment of around US$500 for the lowest paid worker, which the government rebuffed as unaffordable.

Mutsvangwa said the increment would be effected immediately, but negotiations with civil servant representatives will continue.

“The parties further agreed that consultations and negotiations will continue guided by the spirit of continued improvement of the welfare of the Civil Service. The decision by the parties takes cognisance of the need to afford the measures being implemented by the fiscal authorities to take effect,” she said.

Until now, government was paying civil servants an allowance of US$250 across the board, on top of their local currency salaries.
New Ziana