By Claver Nyuki 

…as negotiations are set to continue

Civil servants have accepted Government’s offer to adjust their salaries on a sliding scale from 50 to 76 percent effective 1 August 2019 a development that would see the least paid teacher earning Z$1260.00.

In a media statement given by the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), the stakeholders involved considered the challenges being faced by the civil servants against the economic hardships and the rising cost of living in reaching the agreement.

 “Having taken note of the challenges being faced by members of the Public Service due to the rising cost of living and having noted the state of the economy, the following agreement was made in the NJNC meeting held on 27 August 2019.

“That a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) ranging from 50% to 76% of the total package (Basic salary; Transport Allowance; Housing allowance; special service allowance) be affected on a sliding scale with effect from 1 August 2019,” read the statement.

The statement also highlights that negotiations would continue taking into consideration the prevailing high cost of living and the harsh economic environment. Civil servants are pushing for a minimum salary of Z$4 750.

Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union (ZRTU) Vice President, Gibson Mushangu in a communiqué to the union’s members stressed that this was only a provisional agreement in light of the prevailing economic challenges.

“It must be reiterated that this is a provisional agreement meant first and foremost to allow the Government to cushion impoverished workers.

“According to this agreement, this money should be paid by 31 August 2019,” Mushangu said.

The increment comes against the backdrop of continued rise in prices of basic commodities and would go a long way in cushioning workers who had written to Government claiming incapacitation.