Mayors around the country and councillors have engaged
central government, demanding an increase in their allowances by at least 250%,
citing the rise in prices of basic goods and services.
The city fathers, through their umbrella body, Urban
Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ), have approached government stating
their case.
UCAZ president, Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe confirmed the
development, saying it was overdue as the cost of living had risen beyond the
reach of many.
“We only want a cushion allowances to cover the costs of
living. We have made a proposal to the Ministry of Local Government, Public
Works and National Housing for consideration. We hope to hear from them soon,”
he said.
UCAZ represents urban local authorities. From the proposal,
the association has proposed that Harare mayor’s allowance be increased from
ZWL$1 250 to ZWL$2 250, the deputy mayor from ZWL$840 to ZWL$1 800, with
committee chairpersons’ moving from ZWL$560 to ZWL$1 650 and councillors’ perks
from ZWL$550 to ZWL$1 550.
For Bulawayo, UCAZ wants the mayor to be paid ZWL$2 100 up
from ZWL$1 000, his deputy ZWL$1 650 from ZWL$660 and committee chairpersons
ZWL$1 575 up from ZWL$450, while councillors get ZWL$1 425 up from ZWL$400.
On travel and subsistence allowances, the association wants
the councils to be paying ZWL$80 for out of pocket allowances up from ZWL$10
per day, breakfast from ZWL$10 to ZWL$50, with lunch from ZWL$20 to ZWL$70 and
dinner allowance ZWL$70 from ZWL$25.
Harare council on its own recently made a resolution to
start paying food allowances according to the prevailing hotel rates, while
they wait for government approval. Attempts to get a comment from Local
Government minister July Moyo on the matter were fruitless, as his mobile phone
went unanswered, while permanent secretary George Magosvongwe was unavailable.
Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment