By Staff Reporter
FRIDAY’S much-touted meeting between government and its civil servants’ representative proved fruitless after the workers rejected what they referred to as a “measly offer by an ungrateful employer”.
Government had called for the meeting after the civil servants informed its employer they would engage in a “full-scale” industrial action if their demand for cost of living adjustments (COLA) was not address within seven days.
However, ahead Friday’s meeting, the government threatened to withhold the salaries for any employee who did not report for work.
The strike threats come at time when schools are set for reopening for the 2021 year next Monday.
Cornered govt agrees to salary talks
BY MOSES MATENGA
GOVERNMENT yesterday agreed to meet its restive workers today to hammer out a salary deal to avert a crippling strike.
The meeting comes after unions on Monday gave government a seven-day ultimatum to address their grievances.
The strike threat came ahead of schools’ opening on Monday.
In a statement last night, Public Service Commission secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe said: “Government is pleased to confirm that the meeting between workers’ representatives and the government team in the National Joint Negotiating Council is scheduled for tomorrow (today).”
“The meeting will deliberate on cost of living adjustment and other matters that relate to the welfare of civil servants.”
By Alois Vinga
LABOUR Minister, Paul Mavima has called for realistic demands ahead of a crisis meeting with civil servants over salary increments Friday.
This follows a petition handed to the government this week by the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president Cecilia Alexander notifying the government of their intention to stage a “full-scale” strike if salary increments are not effected within seven days.
The civil servants group is demanding the government to revert to October 2018 salaries which stood around an equivalent of US$550.
But speaking exclusively to NewZimbabwe.com Thursday, the Labour Minister urged the country’s workers to be realistic.
By Alois Vinga
A CIVIL servants group has notified the government of its intention to engage in a “full-scale strike” owing to a longstanding dispute on eroded salaries.
If it goes ahead, the industrial action will be the worst to confront the current administration.
A petition dated March 9 2021, addressed to Labour Minister Paul Mavima, and signed by the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president Cecilia Alexander, expressed frustration over the government’s reluctance to tackle the unending dispute.
“Government is willfully disregarding the NJNC (National Joint Negotiation Council) resolution of December 2020 which stated that the NJNC would meet early January 2020 to craft a roadmap towards the restoration of the value of wages to the pre-October 2018 level,” the petition reads in part.
Zimbabwe: Civil Servants Organising ‘Full-Scale Strike’ Over Salary Erosion
March 10, 2021
By Alois Vinga
A CIVIL servants group has notified the government of its intention to engage in a “full-scale strike” owing to a longstanding dispute on eroded salaries.
If it goes ahead, the industrial action will be the worst to confront the current administration.
A petition dated March 9 2021, addressed to Labour Minister Paul Mavima, and signed by the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president Cecilia Alexander, expressed frustration over the government’s reluctance to tackle the unending dispute.
“Government is willfully disregarding the NJNC (National Joint Negotiation Council) resolution of December 2020 which stated that the NJNC would meet early January 2020 to craft a roadmap towards the restoration of the value of wages to the pre-October 2018 level,” the petition reads in part.