ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe’s Public Servants have been receiving pay rises of 29 per cent this month, with increases ranging up to A$180, depending on seniority.
The cost-of-living adjustment came after the Government offered a package of A$561 million to be shared among workers between April and December.
The latest arrangement means the lowest paid Government worker is receiving A$842 a month, which is above the poverty line.
Another salary review is expected in the middle of the year.
Secretary of the Apex Council of Trade Unions, David Dzatsunga thanked the Government for keeping its promise, but appealed for it to stop “unjustified price increases” by some businesses.
“As we try to make ends meet, it is regrettable that this comes against the backdrop of the resurgence of rampant price increases, which are eroding the increase before we do anything,” Mr Dzatsunga said.
“The situation calls for the Government to meaningfully intervene to control the situation or else we are going back to the negotiating table for yet another inflationary salary adjustment.”
His words were echoed by Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association, Enock Dongo (pictured), who said the price increases were “worrying and if nothing is done we are going to die because we are struggling”.
“The increment has to match with the prices and that is not the case now and our members are having difficulties in making things balance,” Mr Dongo said.
Harare, 21 April 2019
