Govt pay rise a done deal . . . Civil servants, pensioners to benefit . . . Salaries factor in roles, responsibilities

Source: www.zimbabwesituation.com

Source: Govt pay rise a done deal . . . Civil servants, pensioners to benefit . . . Salaries factor in roles, responsibilities – herald Bongani Ndlovu and Theseus Shambare CIVIL servants and pensioners will benefit from a salary increment starting next month under a new remuneration framework, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo, has said. The adjustment, effective April 1, follows a comprehensive job evaluation exercise by the Government aimed at aligning payment with roles and responsibilities.

He could not divulge details on figures but commended the constructive engagement between Government and workers’ representatives, describing it as mature and responsible. Addressing a Press briefing in Bulawayo yesterday, Minister Moyo said the move underscored Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants and pensioners, recognising their indispensable role in delivering quality services and driving national development. “The Government of Zimbabwe reaffirms its unwavering commitment to improving the welfare and conditions of service for public servants and pensioners,” Minister Moyo said, noting that the reforms are part of the broader National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, which seek to build a responsive and motivated public service as a key driver of socio-economic transformation. “This spirit of social dialogue reflects a shared understanding of national priorities and a collective commitment to balancing the welfare of workers with broader developmental imperatives,” he said. President Mnangagwa had promised to review civil servants salaries and has therefore honoured the pledge.

In addition to the salary adjustment, Government has instituted measures to enhance public sector working conditions. These include strengthening occupational safety and health, as well as initiatives to expand access to affordable housing for civil servants. Minister Moyo said these interventions form part of a phased and sustainable approach to promote decent work, guided by fiscal prudence, economic realities, and the need to maintain momentum in national development programmes.

He called on public workers to remain dedicated to their duties and uphold professionalism as the nation advances towards its development aspirations. “The partnership between Government and its workforce remains a critical pillar in building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Zimbabwe,” he said. In an interview, Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions president, Mrs Cecilia Alexander, said the umbrella body accepted the offer after deliberations with Government, although she could not be drawn to disclose specific figures. “Government tabled a remuneration offer which it indicated is informed by the outcomes of the job evaluation process. “After some deliberations, we have taken a position to accept the offer in view of the urgent need to provide immediate relief to workers under the prevailing economic conditions,” she said. Mrs Alexander said the review will be effected across all sectors beginning April 1. “The US$320 will be maintained and the outstanding portion will be paid in ZiG and indexed to the prevailing exchange rate.

All public sector workers will be advised of their actual salaries through their respective official channels,” she said. She said the structure of the adjustment will recognise seniority, resulting in the de-bunching of salaries. Mrs Alexander said unions raised concern over the job evaluation process, including lack of adequate consultation and the absence of a clear independent appeals mechanism.

Following the engagements, Government agreed to convene a dedicated workshop bringing together stakeholders to unpack the job evaluation framework and provide greater clarity. The trade union said it will actively participate in the process and keep its members informed. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, recently said Government remained committed to improving the welfare of civil servants, with deliberate measures in place to ensure salaries remain above the poverty datum line. “Our thrust is to protect the purchasing power of civil servants and ensure that their earnings are not eroded by inflationary pressures. “We are also focused on maintaining salaries above the poverty datum line as part of broader efforts to improve livelihoods,” he said.

Authorities said the blended salary system, which combines a United States dollar component and a ZiG portion, remains a key policy tool to cushion workers against exchange rate volatility while preserving value. The approach is also expected to strengthen service delivery and enhance retention of critical skills within the public sector, in line with national development priorities. Unions have called on Government to institute additional safeguards to preserve the value of the ZiG component, warning that stability of the local currency remains key to sustaining gains from the latest salary review.

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Related topics: Government, Civil Servants, Salary Increase, Public Service, Remuneration, Pensioners, National Development Strategy, Social Dialogue, Zimbabwe

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