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Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
CIVIL servants have through their representative associations submitted proposals to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development requesting that non-monetary allowances be included in the 2015 national budget.

Apex Council chairman, Richard Gundane told Chronicle yesterday that they want a commitment from their employer to fulfil promises made in January to incentivise the civil servants through non-monetary benefits that include housing.

He said: “In the previous budget, there was no fiscal policy for non-monetary allowances for government workers hence the government failed to honour its promises that it made in January. We need institutional accommodation. If one is transferred, there must be a guarantee that he will find a government house at the new station.”

Gundane said the government should avail residential stands, houses and land for resettlement to civil servants as part of the non-monetary package.

“The government promised us all these in January. We believe if the Minister (Patrick Chinamasa) includes the non-monetary benefits in the 2015 national budget; it will be easy for government to fulfil its promise. It was also part of our agreement with government that it should increase salaries of the least paid worker to levels above the Poverty Datum Line which is currently above $500,” he said.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Ndlovu, said the forthcoming budget should empower teachers by providing houses to them.

“The government must provide houses for teachers. If you do not have a house, you feel insecure. We are also looking forward to getting salaries that are above Poverty Datum Line that are probably in the region of $700 and $800,” said Ndlovu.

He called for the establishment of a collective bargaining council which has the power of binding government to its promises and agreed positions.

“We urge the government to establish a collective bargaining council which will negotiate on behalf of workers. There must be a budget for the establishment of collective bargaining council in the civil service. This will bring about transparency. The government is more into consulting, it does not negotiate. We need bargaining status which will enable us to make agreements that are binding instead of recommendations which may be adopted at the pleasure of government. Currently, the government is consulting not negotiating,” he said.

Minister Chinamasa is expected to present the 2015 National Budget next week as the government strives to come up with policy interventions that will stimulate economic growth and investment inflows.