Government yesterday signed an agreement with civil servants representatives for improved working conditions for all civil servants.
In a statement, Secretary to Service Commissions, Ambassador J. Wutawunashe, said the signed deal recognises the acceptance by the civil service of significant steps the employer has taken to improve conditions of service for its workers.
“The Apex Council, on behalf of public service workers’ unions and Government representatives, met in the National Joint Negotiation Council, where they negotiated and signed the agreement, which provides the following:
- A 20% review on gross emoluments (basic salary + transport allowance + housing allowance + representation allowance where applicable) backdated to 1 January 2022 and to be paid February 2022 pay date.
- Continuation of payment of USD $75 COVID-19 allowance for civil servants payable in hard currency with effect from 1 January 2022.
- Introduction of USD $100 salary to be paid in hard currency across the board with effect from 1 March 2022. This is over and above the ZWL salary as provided for in paragraph 1 above. This brings the total USD monthly pay component to USD $175, with effect from 1 March 2022.
- Introduction of a housing loan guarantee scheme for home ownership for all civil servants.
- Payment of advancement awards, with immediate effect, backdated to 2012 and subject to computations. Payments will be effected in a staggered manner.
- Improvement of the administration processes for Rebate of Duty on motor vehicles imported by civil servants.
- Payment of school fees for every teaching family for up to three biological children at a maximum of ZWL $20 000 per child per term. Modalities of implementation will be worked out by the relevant authorities.
- Provision of 34 000 housing units as institutional accommodation for teachers within and outside school premises over a period of five years.
- Provision of a special monthly facility to transport teachers in both rural and urban areas on pay date.”
He said the Council also agreed that negotiations will continue to be conducted on a quarterly basis.
“Today’s (Monday) agreement is a result of further concessions Government has made to improve further the welfare of its workers.
“Government remains committed to improving the conditions of service for all public servants and will do everything in its power to respond to their concerns in a spirit of mutual engagement, goodwill and realism,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission expressed its gratitude to all civil servants who have continued to diligently perform their duties during the processes of negotiation and engagement, promising to always address civil servants’ grievances.
