Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has described as “rumours” reports that the government will soon increase civil servants’ salaries.
There were reports indicating that Treasury has set aside $500 million for civil a servants’ salary hike this month.
However, addressing the media on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting, Ncube rubbished the claims. He said:
Government has not set aside RTGS$500 million to cushion civil servants. We would have to enter first a proper process which we always do before reaching any figure.
But let me say this, the government is always sensitive to the plight of civil servants and we can review from time to time within our means and within our coffers. But currently, we have not set aside RTGS$500 million.
That remains a rumour, a wrong rumour as well.
In April, the government awarded its workers a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of about $29.00 each.
However, considering the economic deterioration experienced since then, the COLA has been rendered meaningless.