by Grace Chekai

Teachers are generally pleased with the pay increase that Government has offered, the Harare Post can report.

Government offered its workers a 41 percent salary increment following protracted negotiations with the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).

Speaking to this publication today, one teacher from Manunure High School in Kwekwe said, “We are happy with the salary increment that the Government has offered us. Indeed, this shows Government`s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants.”

The offer by the Government saw a significant number of teachers especially those in urban areas, returning to work. A visit to some of the schools showed that there was a 100 percent turnout of teachers.

However, some teachers are waiting for their November salaries, so that they can travel to their work stations outside Harare. The salaries are expected this week.

Most teachers are reported to have taken heed of the call by ZIMTA to go back to work. A teacher from a local school in Harare commented that the return of teachers to work in response to ZIMTA’s call shows that the association is the biggest teachers’ body in the country.

“ZIMTA has called for teachers to go back to work and most of the teachers have heeded. This goes to show that ZIMTA has numbers and it’s the genuine union that represents professional teachers,” she said.

She added that “militant teaching unions (PTUZ and ARTUZ) were pursuing political agendas and had contributed to broken trust issues between workers and Government”.

The latest increment shows that Government is sensitivity to the plight of its workers. Salaries have been increased in response to inflation since June this year, despite the economic challenges caused by illegal sanctions imposed to the country.

The agreed 41% cost of living adjustment shall be calculated based on the total package (basic salary + transport allowance +housing allowance + special civil service allowance + representation where applicable) effective 1 November.

In addition to the increment, civil servants are expected to get a bonus, which will be staggered in November and December 2020.The bonus will be paid on basic salary, housing and transport allowances.