Zimpapers Logo

THE Government and civil service unions should find common ground and avert a potentially disruptive collective job action which could paralyse the country when they meet today for their final round of talks.

While negotiations have been ongoing between the two parties, there appears to be an unwillingness to yield ground on the part of the unions who insist on their demands of a $1 733 salary for the least paid worker, up from $414 inclusive of allowances.

On Monday, Government resumed negotiations with its workers under the aegis of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) but no meaningful progress was made with both parties maintaining their positions.

Government has offered civil servants $300 million — a major concession on its part as it seeks to cut expenditure as part of a raft of austerity measures meant to kick start the revival of the economy.

Granted, the cost of living has shot up drastically on the back of wanton price increases of basic goods but the unions should take into consideration the need to rein in inflation and curb unnecessary expenditure which could negate the measures enunciated in Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

Any massive increase in civil servants’ salaries has the potential to destabilise the economy through ratcheting up inflationary pressures while increasing Government expenditure and debt.

On its part, Government has been sincere during the ongoing negotiations and has gone out of its way to meet some of the critical needs of its workers such as housing.

Today, it will unveil a $60 million housing facility for civil servants as part of non-monetary incentives to its workers.

The Government will sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Building Society (NBS) on the roll out of the project which shows its commitment to provide decent and affordable housing to its workers.

Inviting stakeholders to the signing ceremony, the Civil Service Commission on Monday said this was part of Government’s continued efforts to improve conditions of service for its employees.

“The chairman Civil Service Commission will be signing a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Building Society on the roll out of a $60 million facility for public service housing project,” said the CSC.

“This is in light with Government continued efforts to improve conditions for its employees. The Public Service Commission, in conjunction with the National Building Society, has come up with various monetary and non-monetary incentives. Among the non-monetary incentives is the provision of affordable housing for members of the public service, through a $60 million facility provided by the National Building Society.”

We applaud Government for going out of its way to address some of the challenges affecting its workers and prioritising their welfare.

This shows sincerity and commitment to resolving the sticking issues stalling negotiations between the two parties.

We feel civil servants should reciprocate this gesture of goodwill by at least acknowledging that Government is meeting some of their demands.

Government is currently not in a sound financial footing to meet their salary demands and both parties can make progress by moving from their entrenched positions and meeting half-way.

We are glad that the Apex Council — which is a representative body of civil service unions — has made it clear that it will not tolerate opposition elements hijacking their labour issues to advance their nefarious agenda.

Addressing journalists after Monday’s meeting with Government, Apex Council secretary Mr David Dzatsunga said: “Of importance is the Apex Council wishes to alert all civil servants of an attempt by some mischievous elements to use our labour disputes to further their selfish ends. For the avoidance of doubt the Apex Council does not have an information department and henceforth from today onwards all communication will be on its letterhead and will be signed by its leadership.”

We applaud them for clarifying this issue because the MDC Alliance and their allies in the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and civil society have previously latched onto genuine labour grievances by workers to foment chaos in the vain hope of rendering the country ungovernable and unseating the Government.

In the same vein, we urge the Apex Council to put national interest first as they enter into today’s crucial meeting with the Government.

Embarking on a collective job action now is not strategic as it will neither advance their interests nor those of their members.

We implore them to give dialogue a chance and also explain to their constituency the serious impediments Government is facing at the moment.

The environment in the country is not conducive for any form of mass job action as Government is still battling to deal with the aftermath of the carnage which accompanied the so-called “shutdown” of 14, 15 and 16 January which saw massive looting, wanton destruction of property and loss of life.

No sane Zimbabwean can stomach another round of mindless anarchy.