The Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Lovemore Matuke said that negotiations on issues to do with the remuneration of civil servants are ongoing. He said:
I believe this is a serious issue that needs to be deliberated, I know the negotiations are currently underway. We will take this petition to the relevant authorities.
Matuke said this while receiving a petition from the civil service union (Apex Council) leaders in Harare on Tuesday.
Apex Council officials marched to Kaguvi building and the new government complex in Harare in protest over the government’s reluctance to award them a living wage.
The march was led by the civil service Apex Council president, Alexander Kanengoni. He told Matuke that teachers are struggling to make ends meet on current salaries.
The government last week offered civil servants a paltry ZWL$97 cushioning allowance which they rejected. Meanwhile, members of the armed forces reportedly received ZWL$400 cushioning allowance.