ZIMTA warns ministry not to stretch patience of workers, says they want 2016 bonuses to be paid in Cash and not stands

ZIMBABWE TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION (ZIMTA)
22 February 2017
ZIMTA’s STATEMENT ON 2016 BONUS

We have read with disgust the statements that appeared in The Chronicle of Tuesday 21 February 2017 and The Herald of Wednesday 22 February 2017, where the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is quoted as saying that Government ‘s decision on bonuses would be informed by the Civil Service Commission’s findings.

The minister’s statements are misleading in that she had previously issued a statement to postpone a meeting between Government and Unions which was scheduled for the 20th of February this year, citing other commitments which have since turned out to be a subversion of the process of social dialogue.

 However, this has an effect of 

• Undermining the NJNC as an institution and tacitly confirming that this is a redundant institution. 

• By engaging in this survey, the Minister is dearly disrespecting the principles of utmost good faith in the social dialogue processes. 

•  The Minister’s actions demonstrate a clear disregard of bona fide trade union representatives in the social dialogue process.

For the avoidance of doubt to all concerned, ZIMTA, as the largest teacher trade union in Zimbabwe wants to categorically state that it has sufficiently consulted its membership dotted in all corners of Zimbabwe and has been appropriately advised to Demand for the payment of 2016 Bonus in cash.

We want Government to quickly employ the provisions of the Zimbabwean Constitution by transforming the NJNC into a Collective Bargaining Chamber without any further delays, Finally, ZIMTA would like to warn the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare not to stretch the patience of workers as this amounts to triggering of industrial disharmony and to introducing conflict which is likely to disrupt the smooth delivery of government services.

We therefore demand the payment of our CASH BONUS NOW.

For more information, please contact ZIMTA on the details below,

ZIMTA House, 190 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, PO Box 1440, Harare, Zimbabwe.