GWERU City Council employees have threatened to down tools in protest against the caretaker commission’s proposal to effect a 50% salary cut across the board.
by Stephen Chadenga
The three-member commission, led by former Masvingo town clerk Tsunga Mhangami, last week passed a resolution to cut council’s wage bill by 50%, on the basis that it was unsustainable given the local authority’s revenue inflows.
Gweru’s wage bill currently stands at $888 000 per month, about 72% of its monthly income.
The council has a total workforce of 1 300 employees.
Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers’ Union secretary-general for the Gweru branch, Kudakwashe Munengiwa, said the union was going to engage the commission to reverse the decision to slash salaries.
Munengiwa, however, said failure to yield a positive result in the negotiations would see workers downing tools.
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“We are going to fight the move to cut our salaries and we will engage in every amicable way possible,” he said.
“If the dialogue does not yield positive results, we will be left with no option, but to call for full industrial action.”
Munengiwa blasted the commissioners for paying themselves $67 000 in two months, saying they were insensitive to the plight of workers.
“The Local Government minister [Saviour Kasukuwere] should rein in his commissioners. In two months they have gobbled $67 000 and that translates to $3 000 per week and $500 per day. If anything, the commissioners should cut on their allowances and not on employees’ salaries.”
Water and Allied Workers’ Union chairperson, Silas Mutendeudzwa accused the commissioners of overstepping their mandate. Mhangami was not available for comment yesterday.
In August, Kasukuwere suspended 18 Gweru councillors, including mayor Hamutendi Kombayi, accusing them of corruption, incompetence and abusing council resources.
Although the councillors have successfully challenged their suspension in court, government has vowed to keep them out of Town House until further notice.
