ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube has softened the blow for 3,700 National Youth Service workers he fired from the country’s Public Service in order to slash the Government’s wage bill.
Mr Ncube said the Government would pay severance packages and offer retraining to the workers, known as the Green Bombers.
The Government is expected to make an annual saving of US$13.8 million (A$19.5 million) following their retirement from service.
While they were engaged, the Green Bombers were being used by the ruling party in previous elections to coerce villagers to vote for former President Robert Mugabe.
Secretary of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Jonathan Wutawunashe said that as well as the severance packages, the Ministry would offer retraining opportunities to those interested.
“The affected youth officers will receive their full retirement benefits in line with Public Service Statutes and these will be communicated to the affected individuals,” Mr Wutawunashe said.
“In order to enable the affected members to remain productive outside the Public Service, information on empowerment opportunities will be made available to those interested, particularly in view of the prompt disbursement of their benefits upon retirement.”
He said the problem with the majority of affected officers was they had no apparent skills.
“Some of the Government empowerment options available include provision of skills at vocational training centres, access to finance, business mentorship and incubation services,” Mr Wutawunashe said.
Harare, 15 January 2019
