The Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) has notified the Government of its intention to engage in a “full-scale strike” owing to a long-standing dispute on eroded salaries.
This would be the worst industrial action faced by the administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The strike notice, addressed to Minister for Labour, Paul Mavima and signed by President of the ZCPSTU, Cecilia Alexander expressed frustration over the Government’s reluctance to tackle the “unending” dispute.
“Government is wilfully disregarding the National Joint Negotiation Council (NJNC) resolution of December 2020 which stated that the NJNC would meet in early January 2021 to craft a roadmap towards the restoration of the value of wages to the pre-October 2018 level,” the petition said.
“The ZCPSTU will, within seven days from the date this letter, notify the employer of an impending Civil Service-wide job action and that such notification will be served to you in accordance with the laws of the land and in fulfilment of the desires of our members,” it said.
Economic policies pursued by Minister for Finance, Mthuli Ncube since he assumed office have adversely affected employers’ earnings.
As a result, most Public Service salaries have slipped below the official poverty line.
Public Servants have also accused the Government of not implementing a number of other of the NJNC’s agreed recommendations, saying they that have been met with silence and empty promises.
Ms Alexander said a Cost of Living Adjustment was now long overdue.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency recently reported that a family of five now required an annual salary of $US25,000 ($A32,100) to meet its expenses at a time when most Public Service net salaries were around $US18,000 ($A23,100).
Harare, 11 March 2021
