Talk between government and its
employees produced nothing tangible yesterday, heightening tensions between the two sides.

After a marathon meeting called by government yesterday to calm restive unions arguing for better pay and improved working conditions, civil servants were left to fight another day.

Members of the Apex Council — the voice of the civil servants — remained adamant that their
employer should pay their salaries in the elusive foreign currency or face a crippling industrial action.But speaking after the indaba, acting Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister July Moyo said the meeting laid the foundation for further negotiations at the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
NJNC is a forum that brings to the negotiating table government and worker representatives falling under the Apex Council.

“We have heard the plight of our civil servants, especially because of prices which are going up.The governor of the Reserve Bank (John
Mangudya) has been able to explain the nature of the economy; the secretary for finance (George Guvamatanga) has been able to also explain the nature of the economy and the arbitrage that has been going on. The fundamental question
becomes why are prices going up in this economy in the manner they have been increasing and impacting on the public service and the civil service?” said Moyo.Daily News