Public sector workers have been demanding to be paid in
United States dollars citing continued depreciation of local currency, and high
inflation, which rose to 191,7% in June.
Workers say they are being forced to source for US dollars
from the parallel market to pay rentals and other expenses that are now being
charged in foreign currency while the government is insisting on paying them in
local currency.
Civil servants are, however, allowed to withdraw US$100
from their salaries and are given another US$75 as COVID-19 allowances.
In a notice dated July 4, directed to the Public Service
Commission (PSC), the unions said they were finding it difficult to make ends
meet with the current inflation rates.
“The Public Service Association, the Federation of Zimbabwe
Educators Unions, the Federation of Educators Unions of Zimbabwe and Nurses
Federations of Zimbabwe hereby give notice of service wide industrial action
within 14 days of the date of this notice,” read the notice.
“Be advised that the industrial action hereby notified is
in respect of a long overdue cost of living adjustment that speaks to the food
basket that now stands at $114 000 against the latest adjustment to ZWL$36 000
for the lowest paid worker.”
Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo said: “We
are together with all other civil servants to demand civil servants wages.
Government should take the notice seriously. The 100% that they tried to offer
us was far short. They have to address our grievances soon, and we are not
turning back,” Dongo said.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said failure to comply with their demand for United States dollar salaries and improved working conditions would force them to embark on a collective job action as provided for under section 65(3) of the Constitution.
Last month, workers gave the government a one-week
ultimatum to address their salary grievances saying they were tired of
unfulfilled promises.
They went on a one week strike and the government gave them
a 100% salary increase, which they rejected.
Nurses also went on strike but returned to work to allow
for negotiations.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare secretary Simon
Masanga yesterday told NewsDay that negotiations with civil servants were going
on.
“As far as we are concerned as a government, we have agreed
with the workers’ team led by Ms Cecilia Alexander that we are having a meeting
of the National Joint Negotiating Council on Monday next week to discuss the
issues and conditions of civil servants. I don’t want to say much, all I can
say is that it’s a continuation of negotiations,” Masanga said. Newsday
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