Paul Nyathi

THE government has conceded to pay civil servants US$500 equivalence but only when the goverment employee dies as funeral assistance.

On strike teachers who are part of Civil servants have been demanding to be paid US$520 or its equivalent Zimbabwe dollar.

However, the government has flatly declined the request, resulting in them downing tools together with nurses and doctors.

On Tuesday, the ministry of information secretary, Nick Mangwana announced the government would start paying, as funeral cover, an equivalent of US$500 for every civil servant who passed away.

“Starting immediately, government will pay an equivalent US$500 in funeral assistance for any civil servant who passes away. This is regardless of any funeral policy the member may have. The money is paid to a surviving spouse, adult children, or agreed dependent,” he said.