Maravi

(HERALD) Be realistic on salaries: PM

Be realistic on salaries: PM
Herald Reporters

WORKERS must be realistic when they negotiate salaries since it will take time for salaries to reach desired levels, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said yesterday, while the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions urged Government to help improve salaries through the promulgation of a statutory instrument for a rationalised salary structure.

Addressing thousands of workers celebrating Workers’ Day, under the ZCTU banner, at Gwanzura Stadium yesterday, PM Tsvangirai said Government would improve civil servants’ salaries as more revenue is generated.

"As someone with a background from the trade unions, I would urge you to continue negotiations with your employers, but your demands must be realistic," he said.

The Prime Minister was secretary-general of the ZCTU before going into politics.

PM Tsvangirai said while Government wanted workers to earn enough money for their families’ upkeep, salaries would take time to improve.

Turning to civil service salaries, he said: "The inclusive Government is still new, but we would like our workers to get proper salaries. We are currently paying allowances. All people in Government, including President Mugabe, are getting US$100."

He said Government could only get money when more people pay Pay-As-You-Earn but not enough tax was being remitted into State coffers at present.

The Prime Minister said Government would, nevertheless, work hard to improve salaries.

The inclusive Government, PM Tsvangirai said, has been working well since its formation.

"A Government is not easy, especially when we are coming from different parties, but we are working together quite well to bring peace and

economic stability.

"We, however, need your support for Government to provide a way for peace in the country," he said.

He also paid tribute to the small-to-medium enterprises for "carrying" the country over the years.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Tripartite Negotiating Forum would come up with resolutions that would benefit ordinary workers.

Speaking at the same occasion, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paurina Mpariwa-Gwanyanya said Government wanted workers to get better salaries.

Her ministry had set targets that would help in improving working conditions for all workers.

"We have set four targets that include revisiting labour laws in the country so that all workers enjoy good working conditions.

"Government will also look at how we would harmonise the Labour Act and Public Service Commission Act for the benefit of all workers while there is also need for a united front when dealing with the plight of workers," she said.

She said Government had revived social dialogue through the TNF so that workers can get enough money for their needs while also enabling them to save part of their earnings.

"TNF meetings have already started with a technical committee meeting already underway and Government hopes the social dialogue would be progressive for the benefit of the workers."

She said 3 335 people died in work-related accidents last year and Government would work with employers to ensure safety at workplaces.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Mr Lovemore Matombo urged Government not to privatise State enterprises as advised by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

"Government should not listen to the advice of these institutions and workers should not accept privatisation of parastatals.

"We don’t want Government to privatise parastatals to pay debts and we would fight, as a union, over this privatisation bid."

However, PM Tsvangirai said there was no Government policy on privatisation of State enterprises.

Mr Matombo urged Government to include representatives of labour bodies in the National Aids Council and National Social Security Authority as workers contribute immensely to these institutions.

The ZCTU was seeking a US$454 minimum wage in the next round of the social dialogue.

In separate May Day speeches, the two groups fighting for control of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions concurred that Government should set a minimum wage in tandem with the Poverty Datum Line.

"We last had a minimum wage in 1998 when the Minister of Labour intervened to rescue the workers from the implications of IMF-prescribed economic reforms that nearly ruined the economy.

"The situation was not as bad as it is now, so we are appealing for the ministry to intervene to normalise the situation. Failure to do so may trigger further worker exodus into the neighbouring countries and beyond," said leader of one of the ZFTU factions Cde Joseph Chinotimba, who was addressing the labour body’s members at the City Sports Centre.

He urged parastatals to reduce charges of their services.

"We want school fees, passport fees, radio and television licences and State service charges to be in line with salaries or allowances paid to the working people. It is a mockery to the conscience of ordinary workers (to expect them) to come to terms with the level of tariffs on local authority bills ranging to around US$150 to US$200 while the workers are paid US$100 at the end of the month," he said.

Cde Chinotimba hailed the inclusive Government, saying its establishment was long overdue.

He said while the ZFTU was ready to participate and have input into the constitution-making process, the labour body was against Parliament taking the lead.

Cde Chinotimba also called for the removal of sanctions and criticised the ZCTU for standing in the way of Sadc countries who are working flat out to have the embargo lifted.

The Jacob Gwavava-led ZFTU faction called on Government to cancel or deregulate the special privileges enjoyed by companies in the Export Processing Zones which are not bound by labour laws on salaries.

It also called for the removal of sanctions, saying they had caused untold suffering to workers and their families.

"Invariably, this illegal act has forced companies to reduce their production capacities to as low as 10 percent or closing down altogether.

"All this has had negative effects on workers and their families virtually reducing them to paupers. In this regard, we are steadfast in condemning the sanctions with the contempt they deserve," said Mr Gwavava.

Labels: LABOUR, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, ZCTU

posted by MrK @ 4:16 PM