Wary Civil servants who fear government is tricking them have demanded that the government put it in writing that there will not be any salary reduction and suspension of their annual bonus as per yesterday's announcement.
This comes after Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe, issued a statement going against Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa's announcement in his Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review statement last Thursday that civil servants’ bonuses would be suspended for two years, while their salaries and allowances would be reduced by between 5 and 20 percent.
The Apex Council — a body bringing together civil servants unions — yesterday demanded formal communication from the government.
“The Apex Council rejects the statement by Minister Chinamasa as it was without due consultation with the workers,” said Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecilia Alexander. Council accepts the retraction by Minister Mushohwe. It’s our view that such a retraction should be communicated officially to the National Joint Negotiating Council. The Apex Council holds every minister collectively responsible for the insensitive, impoverishing and unilateral proposals presented by Minister Chinamasa.”
She said the Apex Council rejected the civil service audit report, which Minister Chinamasa was drawing recommendations from.
“The Apex Council expects the NJNC meeting set for Friday to clear the air on the Government’s position regarding to the pronouncements made in the Mid-Term Fiscal Review Statement,”
Government has in the past been cited telling civil servants not to trust media announcements.
- Herald
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