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Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
THE government has started a head-count of personnel within the civil service in its efforts to establish the size of its workforce. The exercise could also help contain the huge wage bill currently gobbling more than 80 percent of the National Budget if it is established that more than necessary people are drawing salaries from the government.

The exercise to trim the workers, which was initiated by the Ministry of Public Service and Social Welfare began within a head-count in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

The government is facing financial challenges making the need to deal with the huge salary bill imperative. It is believed that the government workforce stands at over 554,000, a sharp rise from 315,000 in 2009.

Apex Council chairperson, Richard Gundane yesterday confirmed that the “one-by-one” head-count had started. He said the government did not shed much light on how the process would be carried out.

“I can confirm that we received a report from the government that there are carrying head-count of personnel in the civil service. Unfortunately we do not have much information, we’re waiting for the results,” said Gundane.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu said the audit of the teachers had started in some provinces.

He said teachers are expected to be on duty when the process reaches their respective schools even during the holiday.

“Teachers don’t have a holiday like schoolchildren, that is why we receive salaries during school holidays. Our conditions of service state clearly that we’re supposed to report for duty when there is a need,” said Ndlovu.

He, however, said it was a waste of resources counting teachers as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has the data on the number of teachers and pupils.

“They could have used data from the education ministry. This is duplication of duties,” added Ndlovu.

Efforts to get a comment from the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Prisca Mupfumira were fruitless as her phone was unreachable yesterday.

An official from the Civil Service Commission told The Chronicle yesterday that the head-count started two weeks ago and it was continuing.

“The process began two weeks before closure of schools. Teachers were called to report for duty for the process which is underway. Some are yet to be called as the ministry intensifies the whole process,” said the official who requested anonymity for professional reasons.