Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor John Mushayavanhu has assured the public that bonus payments to civil servants and other stakeholders will not affect price stability or the exchange rate as the festive season approaches.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/bonus-payments-wont-affect-prices">The Sunday Mail</a>, Mushayavanhu said the government has structured bonus payments in both US dollars and Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), with the larger portion being paid in hard currency.
He said this approach should help limit any potential impact on the exchange rate. Added Mushayavanhu:
<blockquote>
Furthermore, the Government has already budgeted for civil service bonuses, which are accommodated within Government revenues, implying no significant impact on exchange rates and prices.
Consequently, the Government is expecting substantial revenue inflows from the fourth quarter quarterly payment dates (QPDs).
In addition, the country experiences an increase in diaspora remittances as diasporans return home for the holidays. As a result, the net effect on exchange rate and prices is likely to be minimal.
</blockquote>
Mushayavanhu said the recent policy measures aimed at addressing tight liquidity conditions have successfully reduced excess liquidity in the market and curbed speculative demand for foreign currency.
As a result, both the official and parallel market exchange rates have stabilised, with the premium between the two markets narrowing significantly. Said the central bank Governor:
<blockquote>
The measures included increasing the bank policy rate from 20 per cent to 35 per cent, raising statutory reserves to 30 per cent and enhancing the flexibility of the exchange rate on the foreign exchange interbank market.
In addition, the increased flexibility in the willing-buyer, willing-seller interbank foreign exchange market has led to a positive response in foreign currency supply.
This has measurably contributed to currency and price stability in the economy. The Reserve Bank’s tight monetary policy stance will continue to have a positive impact and result in further narrowing.
</blockquote>
The central bank chief said the country’s total reserves, including gold, are currently valued at approximately US$540 million, which is more than three times the reserve money, which stands at about ZiG4 billion (equivalent to US$155 million). This provides a solid reserve cover.
The total foreign reserves of US$540 million (ZiG14 billion) now exceed the total deposits in the banking sector, which are approximately ZiG12 billion (equivalent to US$467 million), Mushayavanhu added.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe says giving bonuses to civil servants won't make prices go up or change the exchange rate. The government is paying bonuses in US dollars and Zimbabwe Gold to limit the impact. They already have money for bonuses, so it won't affect prices or exchange rates much. The bank made rules to control the amount of money in the market, stabilize exchange rates, and help the economy. Zimbabwe has a lot of reserves compared to what they owe, which is good for the country. This should keep things stable and make things better for everyone.

Bonus Payments To Civil Servants Won’t Lead to Inflation Or Affect Exchange Rate - Mushayavanhu

Zimbabwe’s civil servants have begun receiving their annual bonuses, which will be paid in instalments over November and December.
Permanent Secretary Simon Masanga confirmed this in an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/civil-servants-start-receiving-annual-bonuses/">The Herald on Sunday</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
We agreed that bonuses were going to be spread over two months, that was the initial plan that we made and agreed upon.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president Cecelia Alexander confirmed in a separate interview that civil servants have started receiving their bonuses. She said:
<blockquote>
Yes, civil servants have started receiving their bonuses, members of the uniformed forces were the first to receive and we are expecting teachers to start receiving their portion this week.
We are happy with what Government has done because they did what they said they would do during the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting.
</blockquote>
Last week, ZCPSTU told the Chronicle that the security and health sectors had started receiving part of their annual bonus. Said Dzatsunga:
<blockquote>
Yes, civil servants started receiving their bonuses, the 50 per cent as mentioned by the Government.
Uniformed forces got theirs today (Friday) and the next will be education and the last will be the rest of the civil servants.
We appreciate that civil servants got their bonuses but there is a lot that needs to be done to improve their welfare.
Come next year we will continue to engage the Government so that we get to US$840 that we want.
</blockquote>
This month, civil servants will receive 50% of their bonus, paid alongside their November salaries, with the remainder to be paid in December.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe civil servants are getting their yearly bonuses split up into two parts, in November and December. Soldiers got theirs first, followed by teachers. The government promised this during negotiations. Half of the bonus will be given this month, with the other half in December. The unions say more needs to be done to help civil servants, and they will keep talking to the government about it.

Zimbabwe Civil Servants Start Receiving Annual Bonuses

Zimbabwe’s civil servants will receive their 2024 annual bonuses in staggered payments. The first instalment, amounting to 50 per cent of the total bonus, will be paid alongside November salaries, while the remainder will be disbursed in December.
The payment process will begin with workers in the security services, followed by those in the health sector, education, and the rest of the civil service.
As in 2023, traditional leaders and their messengers will also receive annual bonuses.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/staggered-bonuses-for-civil-servants">The Sunday Mail</a>, Cecilia Alexander, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, confirmed that the government has committed to paying the bonuses in instalments. She said:
<blockquote>
According to our agreement with the employer, the bonus will be paid in two instalments.
The first 50 percent will come with the November salary and the remainder will be paid in December.
</blockquote>
The government recently adjusted the local currency portion of civil servants’ salaries, increasing it by the equivalent of US$40 following a 43 per cent devaluation of the ZiG currency by the central bank.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's civil servants will get their 2024 bonuses in two parts. Half will be paid in November with their salaries, and the rest in December. The first payment will go to security officers, then health, education, and other workers. Traditional leaders will also receive bonuses. The government increased salaries by $40 after devaluing the currency. The chairperson of the trade union confirmed the bonus plan. This means civil servants will get their bonuses in parts instead of all at once.

Zimbabwe Civil Servants' Bonus Payments To Be Made In Instalments

Civil servants have started receiving their annual bonus’s second and final payment.
Members of the uniformed forces received the second and final payment of their 13th cheque on Tuesday, 12 December.
The health sector is getting paid next followed by teachers and the rest of the civil servants.
The bonuses just like salaries are being paid in both Zimbabwe dollars and USD.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/civil-servants-get-final-bonus-payment/">State media</a> on Tuesday, the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) president Cecilia Alexander, said:
<blockquote>
The government paid the first portion last month as agreed and is now paying the second which is the final bonus payment. The soldiers have already received their second portion as we speak.
So far all is well, the employer is always sincere with the workers even on issues we do not want to hear about. 
When the Government cannot meet our demands, it does not hesitate to tell us that it does not have the money as opposed to giving empty promises.
</blockquote>
She added that the unions will soon engage the Government on the issue of converting civil servants’ forex allowances into salaries as announced by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube in the 2024 national budget.
Alexander said the Government should increase the forex allowances before converting them into salaries.
Ncube proposed to raise the monthly tax-free threshold from $500 000 to $750 000 and tax-free bonus from $500 000 to $7.5 million.
The proposed tax-free threshold will be effective from 1 January but the $7.5 million tax-free bonus was effected last month.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Civil Servants Get Final Bonus Payment

The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) says it will award pensioners part of their bonuses in United States dollars this December.
It added that the difference for all pensioners will be paid in Zimbabwe dollars.
In a statement, NSSA said it is in the process of opening Nostro Accounts for its pensioners. It said:
<blockquote>
Good news all NSSA pensioners! You will be paid 13th cheque bonuses this December. We are in the process of opening Nostro Accounts with your respective banks and you can begin to access your money by the 16th of December.
</blockquote>
NSSA said retirement pensioners will be paid US$30, other pensioners will get US$20 and those receiving shared pensions will share the bonuses equally.
It also said pensioners under the Accident Prevention and Worker’s Compensation scheme (APWCS) will be paid up to a maximum of US$35, subject to one’s entitlement. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nssa-awards-part-us-dollar-pension-bonuses/">Chronicle</a>

NSSA Pledges To Award Part USD Pension Bonuses

Nurses at the Roman Catholic Church-run Mater-Dei Hospital in Bulawayo are reported to be on strike after they received an annual bonus of US$10.
<blockquote>
CITE’s <a href="https://cite.org.zw/author/senzeni/">Senzeni Ncube</a> reported sources as saying some nurses are not coming to work while those who report for duty are not working. Said the source:
The situation is dire at Mater Dei due to meagre salaries, registered general nurses got US$10 on top of bond salaries which is ZWL$83 000.
Some nurses are not reporting for duty while those who are reporting are staging seat-in demonstrations.
A general worker or nurse aide earns more than nurses because they are related to the administration.
</blockquote>
The nurses appealed to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to intervene and also to Zimbabweans to boycott the private hospital. Said a nurse:
<blockquote>
We are appealing for the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to conduct an immediate audit and encourage all lovely Zimbabweans to shun getting treatment at Mater Dei as it is a center of traumatizing employees.
How can one get treated at a hospital where staff is demoralised?
Meals are hectic, cabbage and chunks on a daily basis, and boiled stuff which even a pig cannot consume.
Even though the food is highly subsidized, it’s not a proper meal.
</blockquote>
Contacted for a comment, the Mater Dei administrator, Sister Maureen Jameson told CITE that they don’t discuss internal affairs, such as salaries, with outsiders.

Nurses At Mater-Dei Hospital Down Tools Over US$10 Bonus

The Public Service Commission (PSC) says civil servants holding positions above Deputy Director Grades will get 2022 bonuses at the beginning of 2023 based on their performance for the year 2022.
In a statement issued on Monday, 21 November 2022, the Secretary to the Public Service Commission, Tsitsi Rosemary Choruma, said from 2023 onwards, all civil servants including those of positions of Deputy Director Grades and below will receive bonuses based on performance. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>GOVERNMENT POSITION ON BONUSES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS</h2>
The Public Service Commission wishes to inform that bonuses for civil servants for this year, 2022, will be treated as follows:
1. As per the signed agreement at the recent meeting of the National Joint Negotiation Council (NJNC), only those of positions of Deputy Director Grades and below will receive bonuses.
2. This bonus will constitute the following:
a) 13th cheque, plus
b) Special Presidential Bonus.
3. This will be paid out in two equal batches in November and December.
4. It must be noted that Director Grades and above signed performance contracts at the beginning of 2022. It is in view of these performance contracts that Directors and above will NOT receive any bonus in 2022 but rather will, at the beginning of 2023, get performance awards based on their performance for the year 2022.
5. These awards will only be extended to Directors and above after all evaluations and assessments for the year 2022 are completed.
6. Only Director Grades and above who meet their set targets will get performance awards.
7. This is in line with Government’s new practice of performance contracting which only rewards satisfactory performance and sanctions non-satisfactory performance for Directors and above.
8. Government is committed to ensuring that a results-based, high performance, high productivity Work Culture is inculcated within the civil service.
9. From 2023 onwards, performance contracting, which had only thus far been for Director Grades and above, will also be cascaded to all civil servants of all grades across the board.
</blockquote>

Govt Announces Position On 2022 And 2023 Bonuses For Civil Servants

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on Thursday urged the private sector to pay workers United States dollar bonuses.
In a statement, ZCTU acting secretary general Runesu Dzimiri implored employers from the private sector to emulate the government which has started paying civil servants’ bonuses in foreign currency. Said Dzimiri:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has noted the government initiative to pay bonuses in United States Dollars (USD) to cushion the suffering civil servants and call upon all other employers to follow suit.
In the same vein, we are calling upon all employers, including those in the private sector, to emulate the government by incentivizing their employees by giving them a well–deserved bonus after a year of hard work.
Every year most workers look forward to the 13th cheque as a goodwill gesture by employers to motivate them to work hard.
Indeed, in some companies, the 13th cheque is part and parcel of an employment contract.
</blockquote>
ZCTU also demanded that all workers be paid in United States dollars saying all goods and services are now priced in foreign currency. Said Dzimiri:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwean economy has dollarized; all goods and services are now indeed to the USD and we continue to sink our heads in the sand and pretend otherwise while salaries remain depressed.
It is our demand that if goods and services are indexed to the USD the same must apply to wages and salaries because labour is a service.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2022/11/17/zctu-calls-on-private-sector-to-pay-bonuses/">New Ziana</a>

ZCTU Urges Private Sector To Pay USD Bonuses

Highlanders’ principal sponsor, energy company Sakunda Holdings has offered a 250 percent bonus to the team and administrative staff.
This was revealed by the company’s projects manager Nqobile Magwizi at a dinner held at a local hotel on Sunday evening.
Speaking on behalf of Sakunda proprietor Kuda Tagwirei, Magwizi said Bosso deserves to celebrate turning around their season which started badly but improved gradually culminating in the club finishing the season in position five. Said Magwizi:
<blockquote>
This year, Highlanders Football Club will be receiving a 250 percent bonus just to celebrate the efforts made by the team and staff members this season.
Given where the club was at the beginning of the season and being at number five now, it calls for a celebration.
As Sakunda, we are not worried about the final result but the process, efforts and commitment of both the players and management.
Today, we want to recognise this effort and commitment through bonuses which will be paid out before the festive season.
</blockquote>
Highlanders’ vice-chairman Fiso Siziba who represented the club at Sunday’s dinner alongside chief executive officer Ronald Moyo, thanked Sakunda for the support. Siziba said:
<blockquote>
We met our principal sponsors Sakunda Holdings last night (Sunday) as a review of the past season, it was an informal meeting.
We took them on a tour of our properties, the Robert Mugabe way offices, Clubhouse and California Hotel (Luveve camping house) and they pledged to assist come up with business plans to spruce up our business entities.
They also extended the gesture to pay bonuses and this gives us confidence that they’re seeing what’s happening at Highlanders, it’s an indication that they believe in the process.
Highlanders have always been known for excellence and we’re proud to be associated with such a sponsor who understands the club culture and where we’re headed for.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/sakunda-windfall-for-bosso/">Chronicle</a>

Highlanders Players Offered 250% Bonus By Sakunda Holdings

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged a US$200 bonus top-up for civil servants in addition to their regular annual bonuses.
This means that civil servants are this year receiving additional US dollar-denominated salaries under a “special presidential bonus.”
The secretary general of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), David Dzatsunga, told <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/11/mnangagwa-launches-presidential-bonus-charm-for-civil-servants/">Zimlive</a> that the presidential bonus will be paid on top of the conventional 13th cheque already promised to the workers.
He said the additional incentive was offered at the Monday National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting bringing together government and public sector union representatives. Said Dzatsunga:
<blockquote>
The President intervened because we then realised that the bonuses were not going to be quite meaningful without that US$200 and also to clarify that the presidential bonus will be paid in two tranches; half of that will be paid this month and the other half will be paid next month. This was done to make sure that everybody gets their money.
So we are getting $200 plus a bit of what we were supposed to get as a bonus.
You find that the lowest-paid civil servant will get a bonus of $250 and then it goes up to about $347 for the upper grade. Naturally, workers were appreciative of the extra money.
</blockquote>
According to the communiqué released at the end of the NJNC meeting, an additional US$200 will be paid to every government employee as a special presidential bonus. It reads:
<blockquote>
Payment of the 2022 bonus for deputy director level and grades below will be in US dollars as 100% of gross pensionable emoluments (basic salary, transport and housing allowance. An additional US$200 will be paid to every employee as a special presidential bonus.
The bonus will be paid in two equal tranches across all sectors starting from November, with the latest payment being in December.
</blockquote>
The government said the bonus will be paid over two months, with half of the bonus payment set to be effected alongside November salaries, and the other in December.

Civil Servants To Receive Conventional Bonus Plus "Special Presidential Bonus"

Unions representing civil servants say their bonus in United States dollars is too little as they demand the restoration of their pre-October 2018 United States dollar salaries of $540.
A correspondence from the National Joint Negotiation Committee (NJNC) held on Monday reveals that civil servants will get their bonus including a flat US$200 presidential bonus. It reads:
<blockquote>
Payment of the 2022 bonus for deputy director level and grades below will be in US dollars as 100% of gross pensionable emoluments (basic salary, transport and housing allowance. An additional US$200 will be paid to every employee as a special presidential bonus.
The bonus will be paid in two equal tranches across all sectors starting from November, with the latest payment being in December.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure argued that paying in installments will further erode the purchasing power of the bonus. He said:
<blockquote>
The 100% bonus remains paltry because it is 100% of a paltry income. We insist that salaries should be adjusted to the pre-October 2018 level. Paying in installments will further erode the purchasing power of the bonus.
The parties who signed representing NJNC should be ashamed for sustaining an illegal platform for their own expediency.
Civil servants deserve a genuine collective bargaining platform in line with Convention 154 of ILO, best practices in the region and section 65(5) of our own Constitution.
The naming of an annual bonus as presidential shows that we are not serious as a nation.
What’s so presidential about that paltry amount? Someone somewhere is reducing the Office of the President to a joke.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo called on the government to release the bonus once and not in tranches. Dongo said:
<blockquote>
We want to appeal to the government to pay the bonus at once in one month, not to divide it into two since it’s not much and also we are still asking for more.
The figure presented as a bonus is too little to thank the hardworking employees with.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003366/civil-servants-scoff-at-bonus-offer">NewsDay</a>

Special Presidential Bonus Too Little - Civil Servants

The government says it is experiencing financial constraints and therefore cannot afford to pay civil servants bonuses at once, and will spread the payment of the 13th cheque over two months, that is, November and December.
This came out during a National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting held on Monday, 7 November 2022, in Harare.
The NJNC brings together the government and unions representing civil servants for negotiations on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
During yesterday’s NJNC meeting, the government said it would pay all employees 50% of their bonuses this month, while the balance would be paid next month.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Unions president Cecilia Alexander said it was agreed that all civil servants from the deputy director level and below would receive their bonuses unconditionally. She said:
<blockquote>
The workers’ side representatives met with the government on the 7th of November 2022 to deliberate on quite a number of issues, chief among them is the payment modalities of 2022 annual bonuses.
The meeting agreed that all civil servants from deputy director grade and below will receive their bonuses unconditionally.
The bonuses will be accorded in two tranches starting from November to December across the board.
Fifty percent of the annual bonus will be paid per the said months plus the usual earnings.
</blockquote>
Alexander said outstanding fees for teachers’ children would also be paid in batches for all terms in December through the Salary Service Bureau. She added:
<blockquote>
On performance advancement, all members will be rightfully placed in their grades in January 2023, while the arrears will be worked upon thereafter.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, said while the government should be commended for paying bonuses unconditionally, it was disheartening that teachers were paid far less compared to other civil servants. Said Majongwe:
<blockquote>
We applaud the government’s first step to treat all workers unconditionally. However, we continue imploring the employer to do likewise on salary earnings.
We are not happy with the current salary discrepancies that have seen teachers earning less than the rest of the civil servants when we are working for the same employer.
</blockquote>
Nurses and soldiers earn significantly higher salaries than police officers and teachers, which has been a bone of contention for the latter. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003218/govt-to-spread-bonus-payment">NewsDay</a>

Govt To Spread Bonus Payment Across November And December

The government on Monday reversed its controversial plan to pay performance-based bonuses to some civil servants.
In the past, the government had paid a uniform 13th cheque to public sector workers but recently announced that only deserving workers will get a bonus.
A National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting was held today where public sector union representatives pressed the government to scrap its plan to award bonuses based on performance.
Cecilia Alexander, the president of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), told reporters:
<blockquote>
The workers’ side representatives met the government to deliberate on quite a number of issues, chief among them the payment modalities of the 2022 annual bonus.
The meeting resolved that all civil servants from deputy director grade and below will receive their bonuses unconditionally.
</blockquote>
She said the government cited cash-flow challenges and as a result agreed to pay the bonus over two months, with half of the bonus payment set to be effected alongside November salaries, and the other in December.
Alexander also said the government committed to paying outstanding school fees for teachers’ children in December.
The government also said it would place civil servants in their proper grades starting in January 2023, said Alexander. | <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2022/11/performance-based-bonus-scraped-for-civil-servants-after-outcry/">ZimLive</a>

Govt Scraps Performance-based Bonus For Junior Civil Servants

The National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) is scheduled to meet on Monday morning with the issue of modalities for the payment of the 2022 bonus on the agenda.
The NJNC brings together the government and unions representing civil servants for negotiations on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
A letter dated 7 November 2022, addressed to Apex Council chairperson, Cecilia Alexander, by the NJNC chairman, reads in part:
<blockquote>
The Chairperson of the National Joint Negotiation Council (NJNC) invites members to an NJNC meeting to be held on 07 November 2022 at 1100hrs in the 9th Floor Boardroom, Kaguvi Building.
</blockquote>
Last week, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Paul Mavima said that civil servants will start receiving the 13th cheque this month.
He, however, said some top civil servants, that is, heads of Government departments who signed performance contracts will not receive their bonuses if they fail to meet their targets.
Civil servants are demanding an unconditional 13th cheque and a living wage.

Govt, Civil Servants' Unions Meet This Monday

The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Paul Mavima said that civil servants will start receiving the 13th cheque this month.
However, some top civil servants, that is, heads of Government departments who signed performance contracts will not receive their bonuses if they fail to meet their targets.
Speaking during an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/civil-servants-to-start-getting-bonuses/">The Herald</a> on Tuesday, Mavima said deserving civil servants will start getting their bonuses this month. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes, they will get bonuses starting in November. The civil servants who performed well as per the performance-based contracts they signed will be part of those who will start receiving the 13th cheque this month.
… the bonuses are, however, based on those performance contracts for Cabinet Ministers, permanent secretaries and directors. The performance indicators are clear.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), formerly Apex Council, chairperson, Cecilia Alexander, said during the last National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting it was agreed that bonuses will be paid from the deputy director downwards. She said:
<blockquote>
For directors upwards, it will be performance-based, but from deputy directors downwards, we indicated that everyone should get the bonus. This is what we tabled at the last NJNC meeting.
</blockquote>
Alexander also confirmed that the government had paid civil servants the 25 percent salary increase it promised during the last meeting.
Speaking at a function in Bulawayo recently, Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Tumisang Thabela said senior civil servants will not get bonuses automatically. Said Thabela:
<blockquote>
We received notification (from the employer) that beginning in 2022 everyone, director and above will not get a bonus automatically.
If you are a director or grade above, you are going to be assessed according to your performance and be given a performance bonus if you deserve it.
If you don’t meet the targets which you set yourself together with your supervisor, which met the minimum expectations, then you might have to go and tell your children this year that there is no bonus starting with your permanent secretary.
So, the only people who are safe are from deputy director or acting deputy director.
</blockquote>

Majority Of Civil Servants To Get Bonuses

The government has increased USD allowances for civil servants by 25% from the current US$175 to US$200 with effect from 1 September 2022. However, there has been no increment in civil servants’ Zimbabwe dollar salaries.
The government and civil servants representatives met on Tuesday, 20 September 2022 under the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) to deliberate on the latter’s salaries and conditions of service.
In a statement issued after the NJNCmeeting, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), Cecilia Alexander, said the parties deliberated on the cost of living adjustment (COLA), Sector Specific Allowances and Performance Awards, and the 2022 Bonus. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
To All Public Sector Workers
RE: NJNC Update The NJNC meeting today deliberated on the following conditions of service matters:
<ul>
<li>COLA</li>
<li>Sector Specific Allowances and Performance Awards</li>
<li>2022 Bonus</li>
</ul>
<h2>COLA</h2>
The employer offered an increase of 25% on the USD100 to make it 125USD and maintained the USD75 Covid allowance to make the total USD package USD 200 with effect from the 1st of September 2022.
The workers acknowledged the increase but chose to wait for specific modalities on how this is going to be implemented.
The employer did not offer or table any increase on the ZWL salary and the workers demanded that this be also reviewed without fail. In the end, the government side asked for time out to consult. Sector
<h2>Specific Allowances</h2>
The workers advised the employer to resuscitate already agreed sector-specific allowances so as to bring all government workers to the same level to which the government committed to speedily work on the implementation modalities.
On the school fees assistance for teachers, the government indicated that they had faced challenges again with payment modalities, but it was acknowledged by both parties that most of the bottlenecks have now been addressed.
The workers then felt that the ZWL20 000 per child was no longer enough given the latest school fees increase and that government should consider indexing the figure to USD50 value.
<h2>2022 Bonus</h2>
Government committed to paying the 2022 bonus in USD but did not provide any figures and again asked for time to consult on the payment details and the total offer thereof.
<h2>Adjournment</h2>
The parties agreed to adjourn the meeting to allow for the government side to consult with their principals and to reconvene in the shortest time possible, possibly within the week to finalise on the aforementioned outstanding issues.
</blockquote>

Govt Increases USD Allowances For Civil Servants

The Dynamos Football Club management has resolved to pay match-winning bonuses to players after victories.
Dynamos executive chairman, Isaiah Mupfurutsa, told journalists on Thursday that initially, they had undertaken to pay those allowances at the end of the current season.
He said the club will now be paying winning bonuses after matches to motivate the players to challenge for this season’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title. Said Mupfurutsa:
<blockquote>
We had an arrangement at the start of the season to pay winning bonuses at the end of the season.
But, we have since agreed as a team that we revert to the culture of paying after the victories.
We will be doing that and we have no problems doing that. We are happy the team is doing well and we still have a very good chance of winning the league title. So the players should get the motivation they need.
</blockquote>
The Glamour Boys are six points behind log leaders FC Platinum with only eight games before the current season ends. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/dynamos-address-player-bonuses/">The Herald</a>

Dynamos Resolves To Pay Players' Bonuses On Time

Civil servants will this year have the worst festive season since 2008 due to low salaries amid a sharp rise in the prices of goods and services, unions representing Government workers have said.
The Government paid civil servants’ bonuses in US dollars last month but some of them failed to access the funds after their banks compulsorily liquidated the money into Zimbabwe dollars.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo urged the Government to give nurses their December salaries in US dollars as some nurses failed to access the bonus in forex. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>
Looking at the November bonus given to nurses, there is definitely nothing to celebrate because a significant number failed to access the bonus in forex.
As a result, even if they get their December salaries, they cannot afford to buy clothes and other goodies for their family to enjoy the festive season.
Government should give nurses their December salaries in US dollars because we cannot count on the November bonus.
</blockquote>
In a statement, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) appealed to the Government to urgently review teachers’ salaries with urgency. PTUZ said:
<blockquote>
Civil servants are about to have the worst Christmas ever since 2008, and if salaries are not adjusted in January, it will be hell on earth.
Mthuli Ncube, Public Service Commission, your employees are starving. $25 000-30 000 (salary earned) is a dog’s breakfast.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Teachers Union Manuel Nyawo said the paltry bonuses have already been eroded by the rising prices of goods and services. He said:
<blockquote>
Our members remain very desperate. There is no real bonus to talk about. Prices have already gone up and the little income they got as a bonus has already been spent on very few items.
The disposable income is just an eyesore and we want to appeal to the employer to pay us more so we are able to join our parents in the rural areas and enjoy Christmas with them.
Come January 2022 we need money for our children’s school fees as well as money for food and transport.
The situation before us is very worrisome and action is needed on the part of the government.
</blockquote>
Civil servants want their salaries in US dollars considering that most goods and services, including fuel and gas, are being sold in foreign currency.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/12/gloomy-x-mas-beckons-for-civil-servants/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Gloomy Festive Season Awaits Civil Servants

Civil servants will continue getting their salaries in local currency even though they received their bonuses in US dollars.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube on Friday revealed that while bonuses were paid in foreign currency, Government will continue to pay salaries in local currency.
Civil servants’ representatives have been pushing for salaries to be paid in foreign currency but Ncube said payment of bonuses in USD is a “once-off gesture” from President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
No (We are not going to pay salaries in US dollars.) This is a once-off gesture from His Excellency, just to deal with inflationary pressures that we saw emerging in this last quarter.
We will continue to pay our normal salaries in Zimbabwe dollars.
</blockquote>
Ncube said Treasury has released about US$120 million for civil servants’ bonuses as well as civil service pensioners and war veterans and this has been done to cushion them against rising inflation. He said:
<blockquote>
In terms of the civil servants bonuses for this year, we basically released about US$120 million.
We hope this will go a long way in dealing with the inflationary pressures they are facing.
This is the decision of the President to deal with those inflationary pressures. Inflation has been ticking up so we just want to make sure that they are protected from this inflation.
So, we thought that it would be a good idea to certainly pay them in US dollars. This also covers pensioners, as well as war veterans.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/govt-earmarks-us120m-for-bonuses/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Govt Releases US$120 Million For Civil Servants' Bonuses

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has confirmed that civil servants, civil service pensioners and war veterans will receive their bonuses later this month through bank deposits into their <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nostro_Account">Nostro accounts</a>.
In an interview with State media, Ncube said all bonus recipients will be allowed to withdraw their money in cash at their respective banks. He said:
<blockquote>
It (bonus) is going to be paid into Nostro accounts of civil servants.
They will be able to withdraw it as cash or transfer it to their cards and use it for purchases or even keep it in their savings accounts.
For pensioners, naturally, their benefits will also be paid in US dollars, even for war veterans, everyone who is on the civil service payroll will receive their bonuses in foreign currency this year.
</blockquote>
He explained that the Government decided to pay this year’s bonuses in foreign currency owing to high inflation rates. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
We realised as Government that there was pressure from inflation being pushed by the parallel market and inflation was beginning to go up.
Also, there was a call from the civil servants’ leadership that there should be payment of the bonuses in US dollars, so we responded to these two calls.
The President had also said let us do it and pay the civil servants in US dollars and we are going to do that for this year’s bonuses.
</blockquote>
Last week Finance and Economic Development secretary George Guvamatanga said bonuses will be paid out up to a maximum of US$700 for civil servants while civil service pensioners are set to receive US$100 as bonus payments and an extra US$80 for their spouses and US$60 for their children.
He said civil servants earning more than US$700 will be paid their balances in local currency.
It is projected that the Government will fork out US$90 million to pay the bonuses.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/usd-cash-bonuses-explained">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Mthuli Ncube Explains Civil Servants' Bonuses

Civil servants and civil service pensioners will be paid their bonuses in foreign currency this year, a senior government official has confirmed.
Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development George Guvamatanga revealed that civil servants will be paid their bonuses in foreign currency up to a maximum of US$700 and civil service pensioners will receive bonus payments of US$100 plus an extra US$80 for spouses.
Confirming the development in an interview with State media on Thursday night, Guvamatanga said those civil servants with pay scales requiring more than US$700 will get the balance in local currency. He said:
<blockquote>
It is true that we are paying bonuses in US dollars. It is a once-off gesture by the President to civil servants and pensioners.
</blockquote>
A letter signed by Guvamatanga and addressed to the secretary to the Public Service Commission Jonathan Wutawunashe, acting executive director Health Services Board Angelbert Mbengwa, and Judicial Service Commission secretary Walter Chikwana read:
<blockquote>
Guided by the developments in the market and taking into account the plight of workers and the need to cushion members from the adverse effects of fluctuations in exchange rates and also taking into account the proactive initiative by Government, Treasury advises that the 2021 13th cheque be paid in foreign currency (US dollars) at 100 per cent of the pensionable emoluments, capped at a maximum of US$700 whilst those with pay scales exceeding the balance of the 13th cheque will be payable in local currency.
In light of the foregoing, it is recommended that pensioners be equally cushioned on the basis of the following flat, once-off amount per each category: own right US$100, spouse US$80, child US$60.
The three officers were expected to work out what was required in each sector so that Treasury could make the preparations.
</blockquote>
Guvamatanga said engagements with workers around the bonus offer should commence so that it is not seen as an imposition, but shows the consultative and negotiated process that the Government believes in.
He added that engagements with banks must also start now to ensure a smooth flow of payments.
Recently, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), released a statement demanding payment of bonuses in forex.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/usd-bonuses-for-civil-servants-pensioners/">The Herald</a></h4>

US Dollar Bonuses For Civil Servants, Civil Service Pensioners

Statement by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) demanding that the Government pay teachers their 13th cheque in United States dollars.
<blockquote>
STATEMENT ON USD BONUSES FOR TEACHERS
1. Teachers are demanding that the employer must pay bonuses in united states dollars this month of November 2021. Because teachers are sinking deeper into incapacitation each and every day, this is the only way to avert crushing them deeper into poverty and dysfunction.
2. The ZIMTA-Ehlekweni Vocational Training Institute Declaration of 06 November 2021, resolved that the employer must pay the 2021 bonuses for educators in full this November to cushion educators against inflation induced income losses;
3. In the same declaration, the educators are demanding that the government put in place a facility that enables teachers to access the weekly USD$ 50 from their individual Nostro accounts. This has been necessitated by the failure of the majority to access their weekly forex allocations availed to them via local banks and Bureau de changes by RBZ. Ultimately, this move will enable educators to access part of their salaries in USD and eventually solve a longstanding grievance from the teachers.
4. Starting this November 2021, Teachers want invigilation of examinations to be paid for by ZIMSEC, as this is the only way to guarantee the quality of examinations while motivating the teachers and introducing equity in the treatment of all those who manage examinations. Evidence at hand has proved that ZIMSEC has the capacity to pay for invigilation of exams by Teachers.
5. Teachers have also demanded that the employer ought to pay for all their specific sector allowances with effect from December 2021.
6. Finally, and most importantly, the declaration stated that the salary for a Grade D level Teacher of USD$540 has to be honoured by November 2021 at the latest.
7. The ZIMTA-Ehlekweni Bulawayo, November 2021 Declaration further stipulates and warns the employer that failure to meet these demands from the educators, within the above specified time frames may lead to disruptions of activities within schools, compromising the quality and equal access to education for learners, disturbing examination invigilation and ultimately the failure of moderation and capture of CALA results.
8. In the 6 November ZIMTA – Ehlekweni Declaration Statement, the Teachers declared that unspecified actions emanating from teacher disgruntlement were likely to occur should their demands be ignored.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a></h4>

Teachers Demand Bonuses In US Dollars | FULL TEXT

Civil servants will begin receiving their annual bonuses later this month following rounds of negotiations between public-sector unions and the Government, a government official has said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima told The Sunday Mail that revealed that the negotiations over how much will be paid out are still ongoing. Said Mavima:
<blockquote>
We are definitely going to be paying bonuses this year, but what is left to be decided is the quantum that will be paid out.
As such, civil servants are set to start receiving their bonuses this month on a date to be announced later because as of now we have not yet completed our own discussions within Government.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) secretary-general David Dzatsunga confirmed the development. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes, we have been talking and the employer has made a commitment to pay bonuses.
However, we are not really sure about how much we are talking about here because a decision is yet to be made on figures.
But we have proposed that the bonus should also include allowances because the salary alone is too little and the bonus will not be much either.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s largest teachers’ union by membership, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), on Monday, demanded that the Government pay teachers’ bonuses in United States dollars. ZIMTA said in a statement:
<blockquote>
Teachers are demanding that the employer must pay bonuses in united states dollars this month of November 2021.
Because teachers are sinking deeper into incapacitation each and every day, this is the only way to avert crushing them deeper into poverty and dysfunction.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/civil-servants-bonuses-this-month">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Civil Servants To Receive Bonuses This Month

All civil servants received their bonuses before Christmas day as promised by the Government, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.
Mavima also told Sunday News that the Government has given the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) the task of coming up with a roadmap that would enable Government to pay civil servants salaries equivalent to the dollarisation period (US$500 on average). Said Mavima:
<blockquote>Everyone (all civil servants) has received bonuses. No one was not paid and all teachers got their salaries.
The National Joint Negotiating Council is in the process of developing a roadmap for reviewing salaries in 2021.
The roadmap is supposed to be done by 31 January. We have a winning formula going forward.</blockquote>
The National Joint Negotiating Council is a dialogue platform which brings together civil servants and government representatives.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/dollarisation-era-equivalent-salaries-for-civil-servants/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

Civil Servants Get Bonuses As Govt Plans To Restore Dollarisation Era Salaries

Public Service and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima has warned that teachers who did not report for duty will not get bonuses for this year.
Mavima told Sunday News last night that if teachers do not report for duty, the government will not pay them bonuses as well as their salaries as it starts implementing a no-work no-pay principle. Said Mavima:
<blockquote>If teachers don’t work then they will not get a bonus. Those who will report to work will get bonuses.
Government will start paying bonuses this month while some will get their bonuses next month.
We are going to make sure that all civil servants get bonuses before Christmas.</blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education last week Friday submitted names of teachers who absconded work to the Public Service Commission.
The majority of teachers have refused to go to work since schools reopened in late September citing incapacitation.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/no-bonuses-for-absconding-teachers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

No Bonuses For "Incapacitated" Teachers

Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> said that all civil servants will get their bonuses in November.
While presenting his 2020 budget statement on Thursday, Ncube further revealed that the bonuses will be inclusive of transport and housing allowances. He said:
<blockquote>Treasury has made arrangements to pay all civil servants their bonuses in November 2019.
The bonuses are based on a formula that is inclusive of transport and housing allowances, which is a once-off variation to current policy, which base these payments to basic salary only.
This was designed to bring relief to public servants in light of the erosion of disposable incomes under the current high inflationary environment.</blockquote>
The government had earlier indicated that civil servants’ bonuses will be staggered between November and December.
Meanwhile, with the lowest-paid civil servant earning $1 023 per month, the majority of public workers will have their bonuses untaxed after Treasury proposed a bonus tax-free threshold to ZWL $5 000 with effect from November 1.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2019/11/windfall-for-zim-civil-servants-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZTN</a></h4>

Civil Servants To Receive Untaxed Bonuses

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Caps_United_Football_Club" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Caps United FC</a> players have each been promised ZWL$2 000 for winning each of the club’s remaining five Castle Lager Premiership football matches.
The Herald’s source divulged that the deal kicks when Makepekepe takes on ZPC Kariba on Thursday. Said the source:
<blockquote>CAPS United have promised to give the players $2 000 each as winning bonuses for their next match against ZPC Kariba on Thursday next week and half the amount for draws.
The figures are likely to be reviewed going forward as the management has expressed keen interest in seeing the club going all the way.</blockquote>
Caps United are top of the log with 51 points, two ahead of closest challengers and reigning Premier League Soccer champions, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/FC_Platinum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FC Platinum</a>.
The Green Machine has, however, been hit by poor form in the last 3 games, drawing one and losing 2.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/huge-cash-bonus-for-caps/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Caps United Players Promised Huge Bonuses

Teachers have expressed scepticism over an announcement by Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> that civil servants will get their bonuses this year.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PUTZ</a>) secretary-general <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Raymond_Majongwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Majongwe</a> characterised the bonus as a curse. He said:
<blockquote>That bonus is a curse. It will worsen our plight because every service provider will be increasing prices tracking the bonus that will be paid and the civil servants will be worse off.</blockquote>
Ncube announced over the weekend that civil servants will get their 2019 13th cheque “thanks to austerity”.
The statement, posted on Twitter, was met with anger by hard-pressed public workers who considered Ncube highly insensitive to claim that austerity has been beneficial when in fact, it has worsened their suffering.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/11/teachers-scoff-at-bonus-claim/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Annual Bonus Is Now A Curse: Teachers

MDC vice president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tendai Biti</a> says Finance Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> requires a mental examination following his remarks that he will be able to pay civil servants’ annual bonus “thanks to austerity measures”.
In an interview with NewsDay, Biti maintained that giving civil servants bonuses will not alleviate their suffering as they are already being paid “nothing”. He said:
<blockquote>The Professor is mad. He needs mental examination. He can’t say thanks to austerity he will be paying a bonus when civil servants were actually getting bonuses all along.
There is no bonus as long as he is paying them in devalued local currency. It’s nothing. If you add nothing to nothing, you get nothing. The only way to adequately compensate workers is to pay them in US dollar. You can’t pay people inflation.</blockquote>
Minister Ncube made the announcement on Twitter where he seemed to credit austerity measures for the government’s ability to pay its workers a 13th cheque.
<h4>More:<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/11/teachers-scoff-at-bonus-claim/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> NewsDay</a></h4>

Biti: Mthuli Ncube Is A Madman, He Needs A Mental Examination

The government has already set aside funds to ensure that its workers will receive their bonuses at the end of the year.
This was revealed by Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube on Friday. Speaking in an interview with CNBC Africa, Ncube said:
<blockquote>We have budgeted for it (civil servants salaries). It is not true that the civil servants are not happy; actually, the reverse is true.
We have done three things already: we have paid $63 million at the beginning of the year for the first three months of the year in a cushioning allowance in addition to salaries.
We did a salary adjustment worth about $400 million on April 1 to the rest of the year.  And just last week (a fortnight ago), we did another cushioning allowance worth $143 million — a one-off – and we are negotiating to increase salaries further.
We have budgeted for this . . . and come year-end we will pay them their usual annual bonus in the form of a 13th cheque.</blockquote>
Speaking about the electricity crisis, Ncube that the US$10 million recently paid to South Africa’s power utility, Eskom was taken from the budget surplus accrued over the past six months.
He said that the surplus will be used to structure a final arrangement to make sure that Eskom can continue to supply Zimbabwe with electricity.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/private-sector-urged-to-adjust-workers-salaries" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

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