Zimbabwe’s Government has put a new pay offer on the table in the hope it will end a stand-off with public sector unions that has been continuing since April.
If no agreement can be reached with the Apex Council, an umbrella organisation for all Public Service unions, then the situation would have officially reached deadlock and widespread industrial action would likely follow.
However, both Government and Public Servants have expressed confidence new talks will produce results and that a planned go-slow by the country’s teachers can be averted.
Minister for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima said he believed this was an offer the unions could live with and urged teachers to report for work as usual.
“They should not hold Government to ransom. They can report for work while we finish the negotiations. The Government is a listening Government,” Professor Mavima said.
Chair of the Apex Council, Cecilia Alexander (pictured) said she hoped an agreement would be reached.
“If not, it means we would have reached a deadlock and we can’t negotiate any further,” Mrs Alexander said.
The Government recently introduced a 40 per cent cost-of-living salary adjustment for Public Servants to cushion them against rampant inflation while negotiations on a final settlement continued.
This adjustment was in addition to the continuation of a US$75 ($A105.50) monthly COVID-19 allowance.
Harare, 4 November 2020
