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Nokusa Masuku Chronicle Reporter
THE Senior Minister of State in the President’s Office, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, has criticised the recent decision to withdraw retention allowances for air traffic controllers saying it has affected their morale.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the International Day of Air Traffic Controllers early this week in Kariba, Ambassador Moyo, who is also the patron of the Air Traffic Controllers’ Association of Zimbabwe (Atcaz), said management must reconsider the decision to withdraw retention allowances in order to retain their critical skills.

He said it must be remembered that air traffic controllers are the nerve-centre of air travel and therefore they must be accorded the appropriate remuneration and utmost respect as they partner the country’s security forces in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s skies and facilitating the smooth and safe movement of VVIP and VIP flights.

“I have, in the past, implored management to find ways of improving the working conditions of air traffic controllers. I’m informed that this year, management unilaterally removed retention allowances that the controllers were receiving. This has seriously affected the motivation of our air traffic controllers,” said Ambassador Khaya Moyo.

“I hope that the job evaluation will be participatory enough to address concerns of air traffic controllers and fairly place them within the structures of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ). Management must also reconsider the decision to withdraw retention allowances in order to retain these critical skills.”

He said it was worth noting that Zimbabwean air traffic controllers, even with the substantial increase in air flight volumes, continue to prove their capacity to work under pressure by producing accident-free airspace management for CAAZ and the country as a whole. The controllers’ dedication, commitment to duty and patriotism over the years has remained unquestionable as they have remained resolute and steadfast even when operating in a challenging environment, he added.