Government awards civil servants 100pc salary increment
GOVERNMENT has awarded civil servants a 100 percent salary increment as part of its
commitment to improve the welfare of its workers.
Part of the package includes a review of the Covid-19 allowance which went up from
US$200 to US$250 for all civil servants excluding those in the health sector.
A meeting to discuss the welfare of those in the health sector is expected to be held today.
RSA Diversified Gold Refinery
Finance and Economic Development Ministry permanent secretary Mr George
Guvamatanga in a statement said all teachers have also been given an additional US$80
monthly teaching allowance.
“The approved framework for remuneration reviews takes into account the requirement
to continuously enhance the general welfare of public employees while attempting to
stay within the budget and respecting the general rule of maintaining wage bills at
sustainable levels so as not to compete with other expenditures. There will be a 100
percent remuneration review to gross ZWL emoluments from deputy director and below
lot all sectors. Cushioning and Covid-19 allowances have been reviewed from US$200 to
US$250 across all sectors, excluding the health sector,” he said.
“Government pensioners’ cushioning and Covid-19 Allowance have been reviewed from
US$90 to US$100. In addition to that all teachers will receive a payment of US$80, an
improvement to the school fees policy which discriminated against those teachers with
no biological children.”
The Government said teachers will also be entitled to free primary school education for
up to a maximum of three children at government schools within the radius.
“We are also introducing a Government-funded funeral insurance framework. The
approved review of 100 percent remuneration to gross NVL emoluments from the deputy
director and below for all sectors, takes effect on February 1st, 2023 for the security
sector and April 1st. 2023 for the Rest of the Civil Service. Furthermore, the increase in
Cushioning and Covid Allowances from US$200 to US$250 across all sectors, with the
exception of the health sector, takes effect on March 1, 2023, for the Security Sector and
April 1, 2023, for the rest of the civil service, taking into account March 2023
developments in the security sector,” said Mr Guvamatanga.
He added that since the effective date is February 2023, it is critical to note that the
March bills for the security sector included the February back pay for the gross DNL
emoluments from Deputy Director equivalent grades and below.
Dr Sifiso Ndlovu
In an interview, Zimbabwe Teachers’ association (Zimta) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso
Ndlovu said although the review was a bit exciting, teachers will not leave the
negotiating table.
He said US$250 was better than what they were getting but due to inflation, it could not
cover the cost of living.
“The review brings excitement to all civil servants and am sure the others are already
benefiting as stated by the circular. Since we were granted US$250 instead of the US$840
that we need for our needs, we will continue negotiating with the Government with the
hope that one day teachers will go to work with smiles knowing that their salaries can cater for all basics given the tough economic times we live in,” he said.
Dr Ndlovu said teachers were, however, disappointed by the fact that their increment is
only effective on April 1, unlike civil servants within the security sector whose increment
was effected earlier.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association President Mr Enock Dongo said they had been excluded
from the Covid-19 allowance increment, but were due to meet Government
representatives today.
Mr Enock Dongo
He said their Covid-19 allowance has been pegged at US$200 just like every civil servant
who got an increment.
“As a matter of fact besides this allowance and our fixed local currency salaries we do not
have any special allowances applicable to members in the health sector,” said Mr Dongo.
“We have since approached the Health Services Board and we will have a meeting
tomorrow to discuss that and off course other issues related to our welfare.”
Professor Paul Mavima
Apex council secretary-general Mr David Dzatsunga said negotiations will continue
today and promised to give finer details after that meeting.
When reached for comment last night, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social
Welfare Professor Paul Mavima said he was in a meeting. — The Chronicle
