Govt workers push for fresh pay talks

Harare (New Ziana) – Civil servants are pressing government for fresh salary negotiations in light of rising prices of basic commodities due to inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.

They wrote to government early this month requesting for a meeting to review salaries across the public sector.

In the letter dated 4 May addressed to Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima, the workers said the review sought was to cover the second quarter ‘in light of inflation that has severely reduced the value of wages’.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions leader Cecilia Alexander said: “We have not been responded to”.

Public Service Minister Prof Paul Mavima said although he was yet to see the communication from workers, the government was open to negotiations.

“I have not seen the communication, but once I get it, I will call the government to discuss and see when the NJNC (National Joint Negotiating Committee) can be scheduled for this quarter,” he said.

On the erosion of workers’ pay by inflation, Mavima said : “Government will have to caucus and look at those things and see the extent of erosion and then on that basis, we will negotiate.”

New Ziana