The government is reported to be preparing to award its workers a substantial offer to cushion them from the escalating cost of living.
An unnamed government official told The Herald that the offer will be tabled during the next engagement of the National Joint Negotiating Council. Said the source:
Government, taking its cue from its engagements with the Apex Council, is preparing a meaningful offer to address hardships facing civil servants for discussions during the next meeting of the National Joint Negotiating Council to be convened soon.
Meanwhile, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Sekai Nzenza revealed that her Ministry is waiting for the Ministry of Finance to reveal the allocation made in the Supplementary Budget before it convenes an NJNC meeting on COLA.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Minister Nzenza said:
As soon as we get a mandate from the Treasury on the allocation from the supplementary budget, we will convene.
We are most definitely going to have it (the meeting). The government will not revert on its obligation with the cost of living adjustment set to be effective from August 1.
We will not revert from our previous agreement.