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(HERALD) Prime Minister scoffs at civil servants' pay rise demands

Prime Minister scoffs at civil servants' pay rise demands
Wednesday, 15 February 2012 00:00
Felex Share Herald Reporter

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has told civil servants that expecting a salary adjustment soon is "daydreaming". Civil servants unions said they were left with no option, but to approach President Mugabe.

The Apex Council, which met the premier at his Strathaven home said Mr Tsvangirai had left them in the "cold and confused". The unions described yesterday's meeting as a discussion "of promises and more engagements" without anything concrete. The workers had to approach President Mugabe last year after exhausting all negotiating channels.

The workers subsequently got a salary increase after meeting the President.

Teachers Union of Zimbabwe chief executive, Mr Manuel Nyawo, said: "He (PM Tsvangirai) was not clear as to what Government was doing or intends to do to solve our problems. In fact, he told us that he is not Government that puts food on the table for civil servants."

"He told us that we were expecting too much and for us to get anything soon was daydreaming. It was a matter of proposals and issues of those dysfunctional taskforces, which he said he would try to resurrect."

Mr Nyawo said it was clear the PM had not done any consultations as he was telling them "peripheral issues".

"We thought by calling for a meeting, he had done the necessary consultations but it seemed he had not because we had to restate our demands to him again.

"The only solution lies in the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces because he is the one who can tell the way forward.
"PM Tsvangirai is not abreast with what has been going on because he kept on talking about peripheral issues such as restructuring the Public Service Commission and harmonising labour laws, which is not one of our demands."

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said: "Of course, the things he said are also important but with regards to the real bread and butter issues he has no solution."

"We are tired of being told same old stories and what we need is action. What makes this a sad story is that in the meeting the PM had no timeframe when he intends to come back to us with feedback.

"He promised to track the taskforces set on resource mobilisation and though it's a good idea, I don't think it will produce results because the taskforce has failed to please the workers," said Mr Majongwe.

The workers are demanding a minimum salary of US$538.

Their salaries were increased to US$296, up from US$253 after they went on a five-day strike last month.

Apex Council chairperson and Zimta president Mrs Tendai Chikowore said the premier had not done his "homework properly".

"Though these were not negotiations with the premier, from the talks it was evident there was no consultation on his part," she said.

"What we want is a clear roadmap and how the salaries are going to be addressed. We wanted to use him as an avenue and if nothing comes out from his promises we are going to the President."

Zimta chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu added: "He told us that a salary review depended on the good performance of the economy, which is not new to us.

"We are just hopeful that something will be done by Government to save the situation because the workers have suffered for too long."

Labels: CIVIL SERVANTS, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, SALARIES

posted by MrK @ 9:29 PM