Staff Reporter
Government has reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare of its workers by offering a 100 percent pay hike starting from next month.
In an interview today with the Minister of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, Professor Paul Mavhima, the Minister said that the Government would not renegade on its decision to offer a salary hike to civil servants.
“We as Government will implement what we have offered. We are ready to award a 100 percent salary increase to our hard working civil servants starting on the 1st of July 2022. It should be noted that this salary increment is on top of the USD 175 allowances that is being paid to civil servants,” reiterated Professor Mavhima.
The Minister added that as Government, they would hold a meeting later this week to discuss on other modalities to improve the working conditions of civil servants.
Meanwhile, teachers have expressed gratitude over Government`s commitment to better their welfare.
A teacher at a Harare school who preferred to be called Mrs Mpofu said she welcomed Government`s 100 percent pay hike saying that the Second Republic was doing all it could to ensure that the livelihoods of civil servants were improved.
“As a teacher, I am pleased by Government`s efforts to cater for our needs. Government is also subsidizing our transport fares. The money we pay for transport to work is just next to nothing.School fees is being paid for our children. Now our Government has reiterated that a 100 percent pay hike is to be effected at the first of next month. What more would you want,” said Mrs Mpofu.
Another civil servant from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate And Rural Development, Rudo Maphosa applauded the Government for sitting down with all workers representatives in coming out with the solution to cater for the civil servants.
“Our Government is very considerate as it consulted first before coming up with a tangible decision to solve the grievances of civil servants,” said Maphosa.
A National Joint Negotiating Committee (NJNC) meeting was held last week on Friday where the Government expressed its commitment to pay the new salaries with a 100 percent increase effective on 1 July 2022, whilst waiting for the workers and their employers to agree on a common figure.