Civil Servants Demand Salary Hikes, Cite Ballooning Prices

Various labour bodies representing government workers are demanding pay increments for government workers citing the price hikes and the multi-tier pricing system. Some of the labour bodies have called for a 200 percent increase in order to place workers above the poverty datum line. According to statisticians, the poverty datum line (PDL) was $545 in November last year. This figure is yet to be adjusted for the current circumstances as there was an increase in prices during the festive season.

The Apex Council, the union which represents civil servants says it wants the minimum salary to be equal to the poverty datum line. George Mushipe, the secretary for information and publicity for the Apex Council said:

Civil servants are becoming vulnerable. We are now pushing for our salaries to be above the PDL. We are very much disturbed with the existence of a three-tier pricing…

Previously, we could understand the fiscal challenges faced by the government but with the current sharp increases, we have been left with no option but to demand a salary hike. We are going to engage our government because our salaries have been eroded.

Obert Masaraure, president of the Association of Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) added:

Prices have doubled so our salaries must also double. In addition to that, we need a rural allowance which is 100 percent of current salary.

Raymond Majongwe, the secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said:

Prices are going up, rentals are going up and school fees are also going up…We cannot remain quiet while the situation is becoming harder for us.

Vice President, General (Retired) General Constantino Chiwenga has since been tasked by the Zanu-PF Politburo to look into the issue of price hikes.

More: Daily News