Almost all nurses have returned to full duties, so the pay
rise and their risk allowances are seen as a welcome recognition of their own
professional standards.
The latest pay rise, effective this month, addressed some
of the concerns teachers had been pushing for, including a sector specific
allowance which came in the form of an additional 10 percent Covid-19 risk
allowance on top of the 40 percent awarded to all Government workers.
The latest increment will see the least-paid civil servant
earning $14 528 while the basic pay for a teacher is now $18 237 a month.
The Government this year has been raising salaries of its
staff and approving extra allowances as its tax revenues rise to cushion them
as much as possible from high inflation seen before the forex auction system
stabilised exchange rates in both the formal and informal sectors without
waiting for negotiated agreements as delays in such talks simply increase
suffering.
Government has made it clear that while it will neither
borrow nor print money to meet a salary bill, so wrecking the reforms that have
now led to fiscal stability, it has been making pay awards and has indicated it
will continue to raise pay as fast as its own revenues rise.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary-general Mr Enock
Dongo, who heads the union that has held out the longest, was far more
conciliatory in his statement yesterday than he has been recently, saying
nurses welcomed the increment awarded by the Government but still wanted a
further improvement.
“It is a welcome development by Government and we really
appreciate the increment they have offered. It is, however, not yet enough to
cater for the cost of living. We expect more. But like I said, this is a
positive step and we really appreciate it,” said Mr Dongo.
In separate interviews last night, unions representing
various civil servants were concerned their salaries could be eroded by rises
in the cost of living, although the stability in exchange rates followed by
very low monthly inflation would suggest that any jumps in the cost of living
would be the result of profiteering rather than economic fundamentals.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli
Ncube has repeatedly assured the nation that measures put in place to insulate
the local currency against erosion are sustainable with the auction system working
very well to create a stable base.
Apex Council vice secretary Mr Gibson Mushangu said the
unions adjourned their meeting with Government for consultations last week
after they were offered a 20 percent increment but are now waiting for input of
members after Cabinet approved doubling of the offer.
He however, acknowledged the salary adjustment as a welcome
development but was very critical of the recent tariff hikes by Zesa, Zinara
and other State concerns that were far greater than the salary increments.
“There are some parastatals like Zesa and Zinara that have
raised their tariffs by more than 100 percent when salary increment is 40
percent,” said Mr Mushangu.
In previous months, prices of basic goods have remained
stable and in some cases have started falling and there are sentiments that
steep tariff hikes by some State enterprises could have an inflationary effect.
Zesa, Zinara and the local authorities that sell water
argue that their increments are simply catching up with the inflation in the
early part of the year when their tariffs were stable, and in any case their
contribution to the cost of living is low.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer Dr
Sifiso Ndlovu said the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) would
reconvene tomorrow for further deliberations and a detailed explanation of the
offer by the Government.
He noted that several issues that needed clarification,
including the 10 percent offer for teachers which he said was not publicly
explained.
“We requested that explanation and we were told we would
get it on Friday. The issue of returning to schools hinges on the explanation
we will get from Government on Friday,” said Dr Ndlovu.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr
Raymond Majongwe said they wanted to talk to Government first before the
announcements were made as Government was supposed to negotiate with civil
servants through the NJNC. Herald
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