Thursday, July 21, 2011

Zimbabwe Civil Servants Hail President Mugabe

Civil servants hail President

Thursday, 21 July 2011 02:00
Herald Reporter

CIVIL servants from different parts of Zimbabwe yesterday praised President Mugabe for authorising the salary increase he promised two months ago.

The public workers, in several calls and contributions to The Herald online edition, praised President Mugabe for keeping his promise on the increment.

Civil servants started receiving their new salaries on Tuesday.

The salaries had the much anticipated increment despite statements from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Finance Minister Tendai Biti and his Public Service counterpart Eliphas Mukonoweshuro who insisted that there was no money for the salary increment.
The workers got an average of US$100 increase each.

Govt pay rise effected

Civil servants have been agitating for a salary increase for the past two years without success.

The workers' representatives met PM Tsvangirai, Ministers Biti and Mukonoweshuro who told them the increase was impossible as the State coffers were dry.

Their hopes were only raised in April this year after meeting President Mugabe who promised them a salary review in June.

The workers said the increase, though not adequate, would go a long way in cushioning them.

"We are grateful to the President for ending the speculations by his counterparts as we had lost hope for any increment

"We are grateful as they say, ‘half a loaf is better than nothing'. What's left for us now is to deliver," Mr Arnold Matikasi from Mutoko said.

Mr Sindiso Mawere, who phoned from Shurugwi said: "I had lost hope in everything. Nyika hombe dzazopindira maita basa Gushungo. Ndimi mega baba ndatenda zvangu katatu kasingagume."

"This is a clear sign that Government is trying its best given the limited resources at its disposal. Zvaonekwa Gushungo. Mugare kure nemoto mungatsve."

However, others took a swipe at Ministers Biti and Mukonoweshuro accusing them of politicking.

"Where did (Minister) Biti get the money because he was saying there is no money. As for (Minister) Mukonoweshuro, he said he would announce Government position in two weeks time but more than four weeks have lapsed since he made the remarks.

"There is no doubt the guys are operating under the guidance of the IMF," said Mr Terrence Makusha of Harare.

Another one added: "The fact that these guys have remained quiet is because their plan has hit a brick wall.

"Now the salaries are there, they can't even say a word, meaning they knew what was happening and they wanted to demoralise workers".

The lowest-paid Government worker, who used to get US$128, is now getting US$253.

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