The collapsing value of Zimbabwe Government pensions is forcing many Public Servants to avoid retirement, an opposition MP claims.
Leader of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, Douglas Mwonzora said some workers had gone to the extent of misrepresenting their dates of birth in order to postpone retirement.
Mr Mwonzora said the continuing hyperinflation was eating into incomes and in some instances workers who had reached pensionable age were dying at work due to health-related issues caused by aging and stress.
“Pensioners are receiving funds that do not make sense at all. The plight has been worsened by high inflation rates and prices that are skyrocketing day-by-day,” Mr Mwonzora said.
“The packages are so low that people are deeply depressed,” he said.
“They resist going on retirement as after more than 20 years of service they receive a package that could not buy them half the basic commodities a normal family may want to use in a month.”
Zimbabwean public sector unions, including the militant teachers’ organisations, have raised numerous complaints over pensions with the Government in recent years.
Minister for the Public Service, Paul Mavima said his Ministry had been asked to negotiate with Local Authorities to reduce or waive taxes that pensioners were required to pay.
“We will be doing the necessary consultations,” Mr Mavima said.
The issue was raised in Parliament by MP, Tendai Biti during a debate on the Pensions and Insurance Amendment Bill.
Mr Biti said at least $US9 billion ($A13 billion) worth of pensioners’ funds had been lost in the past eight years.
He said insurance companies were collecting contributions in United States dollars but repaying the pensioners in the eroded Zimbabwean dollar.
Harare, 12 May, 2022
