By A Correspondent
The Emmerson Mnangagwa administration has come under scrutiny for what many are calling a token salary increase for civil servants.
Effective September 1, 2024, government workers will see their salaries rise by a mere US$40, a decision made during a recent National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting.
This increase, which will be disbursed in local currency at the prevailing official exchange rate, has left many civil servants feeling shortchanged.
Cecelia Alexander, president of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), reported that the lowest-paid civil servant will see their earnings increase from $324 to approximately $364.45.
“Following a series of meetings by the NJNC,” Alexander explained, “the two parties later met on the 14th of October 2024 at Kaguvi Building, Harare, and agreed to the following: Review of the salary by US$40 payable in local currency at the prevailing official exchange rate, across the board for the Grades of Deputy Director and below with effect from 1 September 2024.”
The government also indicated that bonuses will be paid in November, but the anticipation of this additional payment does little to alleviate the dissatisfaction among workers who feel the pay rise is insufficient given the rising cost of living.
Many civil servants are questioning the adequacy of the increment, particularly in a country grappling with inflation and economic instability.
In addition to salary adjustments, the government has announced a review of bus fares effective October 1, further compounding the financial strain on public workers.
This decision, while perhaps intended to offset operational costs for transport services, adds another layer of concern for civil servants who are already struggling to make ends meet.
As the government grapples with its financial limitations, civil servants are left wondering whether this small pay rise is a genuine effort to improve their livelihoods or merely a tactic to placate discontent among a crucial segment of the workforce.