ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwean Public Servants have received a raft of promises including improved working conditions and salaries and bonuses paid on time and in full.
The pledges are included in the manifesto of the ruling Zanu-PF Party manifesto in the lead-up to the country’s General Election, to be held in July.
The package contains promises to improve teachers’ salaries and working conditions, aimed at heading off any industrial action at the start of the second school term of the year.
The Apex Council, the umbrella body for all public sector unions, which is currently in negotiations with the Government for a new deal, said there would be no strikes in the immediate future.
President of Apex, Cecilia Alexander said the negotiations were continuing and she was now expecting a positive response.
Over the years cash flow problems have resulted in the Government delaying payment of salaries and bonuses, in some cases for months at a time.
ZANU-PF has also promised that major infrastructure projects already under way would continue, with the creation of thousands of jobs.
Other promises include a rapid improvement in health standards, with a promise of 78 new hospitals by 2023, free medical treatment for cancer patients and a reduction of hospital fees by 50 per cent.
The party has also promised to build new schools, universities and polytechnics.
Harare, 7 May 2018
