Zimpapers Logo

Government’s silence on salary negotiations.
The civil servants are demanding a salary increase of up to $538 from $253 given to the least paid worker.
On Thursday last week Government workers staged a one-day strike, which some members especially in Bulawayo and Midlands however, ignored.
On the same day, the Apex Council issued a statement calling on its members to go on strike from Monday to Friday this week citing lack of co-operation on the part of Government in negotiating a salary review.
This was after Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga failed to turn up for the Tuesday meeting to discuss the matter.
“Definitely the strike is there and we have informed all our members. It is unfortunate that the Government has not given us a positive response,” said Mrs Tendai Chikowore who chairs the Apex Council, an umbrella body of all civil servants’ bodies.
She condemned the Government’s failure to respond to their concerns, saying civil servants were left with no option but to resort to a strike.
Mrs Chikowore said the Government’s silence was a sign of communication breakdown, which gives room to speculation.
She castigated sentiments that the strike was motivated by political interests, saying civil servants were mature people who deserved to be treated with respect.
“That is utter rubbish and we are not taking it kindly. We do not need any party to influence our operations. We do not need anyone to tell us that our salary is inadequate or that our children are suffering.
“That is undermining our intelligence and as civil servants we are not foolish. This is a social issue and we are demanding what is ours,” said Mrs Chikowore.
“This issue is not directed to the MDC-T only but to the whole inclusive Government. It is these three parties that approved a budget which ignored civil servants’ salaries.
“Those who think this is political are shallow-minded. Some people want to gain mileage out of our plight and we will not be fooled by that.”
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu also urged teachers to down tools.
“We are going ahead with the industrial action as per our decision on Thursday,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“We do not share an ideology with any political party and it is malicious and folly to say our actions are influenced by any political party.
“The problems affecting civil servants should be addressed by the Government as a whole. We encourage our members to support the strike in full for the benefit of their future.”
Mr Ndlovu said teachers should unite in calling for long-term solutions to the salary question.
He said incentives were just a short-term measure that would make the teacher poorer at the time of retirement.
Meanwhile, teachers who spoke to Chronicle yesterday said on Friday they received communication to go on strike.
“We received messages through our phones from our union on Friday informing us not to report for duty this week,” said a teacher who preferred anonymity.
The civil servants challenged their employer to act reasonably and avoid prolonged confrontation.
Public Service Minister Mrs Lucia Matibenga has been refusing to speak to the media over the issue and yesterday she was not forthcoming as usual.
“I am sorry I cannot comment. No. No comment. Thank you for calling,” she said, before dropping the phone.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe could not be reached for comment on his mobile.
However, he is on record as saying if the Government continued to ignore their grievances, civil servants would adopt a “harsh” stance to force it to respond.
PTUZ has been calling for a strike since the opening of schools early this month.