Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had defied a Government directive on salaries by allowing local authority bosses to negotiate new increments if their councils meet given conditions.
In a letter written by the permanent secretary for the Local Government Ministry, Eng George Mlilo, the conditions are that council must currently be paying a rationalised employment package, any increase must be within the 30:70 ratio based on the actual income of the last audited accounts, council cannot be in any salary arrears, all labour-related statutory obligations must be up to date and the increase should not create a wide salary differential.
The letter states that if a local authority meets the conditions it can then enter into negotiations for an increase. The Council will then set up a task team which will negotiate on its behalf. When the ministry receives the application for an increment it will analyse all the information given and will then enter into discussions with the council- appointed task team after which a recommendation will be made to the Minister, whose decision will be final.
More: Herald