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Mr Sifiso Ndlovu

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
CIVIL servants have urged the Government to walk the talk by implementing policies and fulfilling promises that it makes to improve the welfare of its workers.

A three-day engagement between the Government and civil servants to apprise them of their conditions of service and non-monetary incentives ended on Tuesday in Norton, with the workers calling on the Government to ensure that conditions of service are improved.

The workers were informed about the ongoing rationalisation exercise, the shift in pay dates, impending introduction of bond notes as well as pensions and medical aid benefits.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu yesterday said although workers appreciated Government’s efforts to communicate with them, it was important for the workers to see the fulfilment of the promises that are made.

“The engagement was more of information sharing, where we also offered solutions to the challenges that the Government is facing as given by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. What is left now is for the Government to walk the talk and show genuine commitment by fulfilling the promises made and implementing what we would have agreed during such engagements,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He said other issues discussed were the harmonisation of the labour laws, the state of the economy in the country and pensions.

“We offered suggestions on how the Government can plug duplication of roles as the rationalisation process continues.

“There was a strong inclination towards the issue of pensions. Currently people in the service are paying for those who are retiring. We feel that a pension fund for civil servants can be established,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He added that the delay by the government to harmonise the labour law with the constitution was breeding frustration among the civil servants. He commended the Government officials for taking their time to explain various issues and engaging them in mapping the way forward.

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