ZIMBABWE
Only days after announcing that Public Servants would receive a cost of living pay adjustment this month, the Zimbabwean Government now says any increase will be delayed because “discussions are still under way”.
Minister for Finance, Mthuli Ncube (pictured) said the National Joint Negotiating Council had invited Public Service unions to meet to consider “a cost of living adjustment and sector-specific allowances”.
Mr Ncube said there was no money available for an immediate cost of living increase.
He said the Government had not set aside money to cushion PS employees.
“We would have to enter first a proper process, which we always do before reaching any figure,” Mr Ncube said.
“Let me say this, Government is always sensitive to the plight of Civil Servants and we can review from time to time within our means and within our coffers, but currently we do not have the money.”
He said reports of an imminent increase remained a rumour — “and a wrong rumour as well”.
This is not what PS staff wanted to hear, as many believed the “rumour” was an official Government announcement of a pay rise that has now been withdrawn.
In April they received a 22 per cent salary adjustment, which was almost immediately wiped out by rampaging inflation, including a 150 per cent rise in fuel prices.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe has already embarked on a go-slow protest while nurses have given the Government 14 days’ notice of industrial action.
Harare, 7 June 2019
