Staff Reporter
Government has rolled out a comprehensive package aimed at improving the welfare of public sector workers, including subsidized housing, salary indexing, and non-monetary incentives.
These measures are designed to enhance the quality of life for civil servants while boosting productivity and job satisfaction.
A major highlight of the initiative is the provision of up to two million residential stands and high-rise flats for public servants by the end of 2025.
To date, approximately one million stands have already been allocated.
To accelerate these projects, Government has established a joint technical committee comprising officials from various ministries, the Public Service Commission, and workers’ representatives.
In an interview with the media, Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo confirmed that the committee is expected to develop a time-framed roadmap by the first quarter of 2025.
“Addressing the housing needs of our public servants is a priority. This initiative will not only improve their quality of life but also enhance their overall well-being and productivity,” said Minister Moyo.
Under National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), several housing projects are already underway.
These include 200 houses in Beitbridge under theRedevelopment Programme, four of eight planned three-storey walk-up flats at Mutawatawa Growth Point, set for completion by March 2025 and 19 F14 houses in Lupane and blocks of flats in Beitbridge and Marondera, financed through the Public Service Pension Fund.
Additionally, Government has introduced a 10% quota in all housing projects for civil servants on a homeownership basis, while institutional housing is being provided in cantonment areas.
Efforts are also underway to regularize informal settlements, benefiting a significant number of public servants.
To shield public servants from inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, Government has indexed the local currency component of salaries to the exchange rate since April 2024.
This ensures that employees retain their purchasing power despite economic shifts.
“Since April 2024, public servants have benefitted from this cushioning effect,” said Minister Moyo.
Beyond salaries, Government is also exploring additional non-monetary benefits to enhance the well-being of civil servants.
These include improved transport allowances, enhanced duty rebates on imported vehicles and expansion of the public service vehicle fleet to facilitate efficient transportation
A comprehensive job evaluation is also nearing completion to streamline compensation frameworks, eliminate inefficiencies in job categorization, and ensure fair remuneration for essential job categories.
“The implementation of the job evaluation recommendations will improve compensation for core job categories while eliminating waste and inefficiencies,” Minister Moyo added.
Government is also investing in the skills development of public servants through the Public Service Academy (PSA), which comprises 14 training campuses across Zimbabwe.
The academy focuses on equipping civil servants with modern skills and knowledge necessary for achieving Vision 2030.
“Furthermore, the PSA has partnered various professional boards and stakeholders to strengthen professional development,” Minister Moyo explained.
A dedicated retirement planning unit has also been established to help public servants transition smoothly into retirement by providing financial literacy training and life skills development.
Government is finalizing a comprehensive public service funeral assurance policy, which will offer substantial coverage for civil servants and their families.
This initiative aims to ease financial burdens associated with funeral expenses.
“We believe these measures will not only enhance employee satisfaction but also contribute to a more efficient and productive public service,” Minister Moyo concluded.
With these extensive housing, salary, and welfare improvements, Government is demonstrating a strong commitment to the well-being of public sector workers, ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute effectively to Zimbabwe’s development and economic stability.
