THE Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) has accused the government of lacking the political will to respond comprehensively to salary demands tabled before the National Joint Negotiating Council.
NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER
Zimta and other civil service associations have been engaged in protracted salary talks with the government since last year, but still no firm agreement has been reached.
On Monday, frustrated civil servants’ unions threatened nationwide strikes by next week if the government failed to fulfil President Robert Mugabe’s promise made during and soon after elections to award them salary increments.
In a circular sent to teachers, Zimta chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said government representatives were constantly referring everything to two policy documents, the 2014 National Budget and the Zim Asset blueprint during negotiations.
“The staggered process of ‘walking’ towards poverty datum line (PDL) has the same effect as the natural process of negotiations, the difference of the current treasurer and the past is on the pronouncement of commitment, thereby lacking political support to this process,” Ndlovu wrote.
“Zimta continues to push for the implementation of an improved salary to be effected in January 2014.” PDL is currently pegged at $540.
According to the circular, the government committed itself to producing the staggered framework in line with the economic dictates by January 2014. “The import of references was that the government would embark on a staggered framework of reviews towards PDL,” Ndlovu added.
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“The government then committed itself to producing the staggered framework in line with the economic dictates by January 2014.”
The lowest paid civil servant currently earns $296 per month.
