Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Lovemore Matuke said the government had addressed teachers’ salary grievances, saying civil servants should be grateful to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for improving their welfare in terms of salary adjustments and other non-monetary benefits.
Deputy Matuke yesterday told Parliament that government already addressed civil servants’ grievances, although teachers had refused to report for duty after rejecting the 20% salary adjustment, an additional US$100 per month and other benefits announced last week.
“Most of the issues which were affecting the teachers were addressed.
I think the teachers and civil servants had been appealing for a mixed bag so that they are not affected by the fall of the local currency,” he said.
Most teachers did not agree with government’s effort of settlement and continued striking and demanding a salary increment to $US 520 dollars per month.
The government on Wednesday threatened to expel all striking teachers and school heads who fail to report for duty by Tuesday next week and replace them with college graduates and unemployed trained educators.
Deputy Matuke added that civil servants should thank the government for “such good reward. ”
“I think we should thank the government for providing such a good reward. I do not think going forward, we will get teachers complaining, but as our economy improves, I think we will still revert to our Zimbabwe dollar 100%.” he said.
