by Christopher Makaza

Government has once again demonstrated that it is sensitive to the plight of its workers by paying the USD75 Covid-19 allowance on pay days indexed to the prevailing Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) exchange auction rate.

In a statement yesterday, Public Service Commission (PSC) Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe announced that the least paid Government worker who falls under (B1) grade will now be earning ZW$11350.15 while a teacher at entry grade (D1) will now earn a total of ZW$12591.15.

Ambassador Wutawunashe said Government would like to record its appreciation for patriotic civil servants in all categories who continue to render service to the citizens  of Zimbabwe.

"Government is committed to continuously improve the working conditions of civil servants and Hope's the negotiations in the national joint Negotiating Council to further improve emoluments for civil servants will be concluded soon," he said.

Government has since June been paying a flat non-taxable Covid-19 allowance of US$75 a month  to all civil servants and US$30 to its pensioners. The allowance which was supposed to end last month has since been extended to the last month end of the year.

The recent payment by Government does not prejudice  the ongoing salary negotiations but seeks to cushion workers in the interim pending conclusion of the negotiations, particularly in the view of the urgent need to support teachers who need to go back schools and prepare children for the examinations.

Civil servants salaries have since January this year been increased by nearly 200% .

Teachers are making unrealistic demands of at least USD$540 per month or its equivalent in local currency for them to return to work.