The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has criticised the government for misleading civil servants into believing they would receive a salary increase in United States dollars.
On Tuesday, 15 October, the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) announced that the government had increased civil servants’ salaries by US$40, backdated to September.
However, this increase will be paid in ZiG at the prevailing official exchange rate, not in US dollars.
ARTUZ said some civil servants are now deeper in debt after borrowing money in anticipation of a salary increase in USD. ARTUZ said:
<blockquote>
The Sunday Mail and the whole State propaganda machinery were in overdrive spreading disinformation on some fake USD increment.
The whole machinery is evil and has little regard for hard-working Civil servants. Some got into more debt anticipating an increment. 100% USD salaries now!
</blockquote>
Last week, The Sunday Mail reported that the government plans to award civil servants with a salary increase in USD, along with an annual bonus this year.
The publication cited Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare July Moyo, who stated:
<blockquote>
The Government has allocated a significant amount in US dollars to ensure that salary adjustments benefit all civil servants.
However, under the President’s directive, we have prioritised the upliftment of lower-income employees to bridge the wage gap.
While we understand that top-level officials can manage with their current salaries, it is imperative that we provide adequate support to those at the bottom of the ladder…
On the bonus, we will make an announcement after consulting with Treasury, but the bonus will certainly come.
</blockquote>
However, yesterday, the union representing civil servants, that is ZCPSTU, said government workers will get a salary increment of US$40 payable in local currency at the prevailing official exchange rate. It said:
<blockquote>
In the end, the employer committed to pay as follows; Review of salary by US$40 across the board for the grades of Deputy Director and below with effect from September 1, 2024.
Resultantly, the lowest Grade B1 will move from a salary of US$324 to US$364 effective 1st of September 2024…
The initial offer of US$31 million converted to local currency was dismissed as inadequate by the workers on two occasions.
The employer increased the envelope to US$41 million but insisted that it will be paid in local currency at the prevailing bank rate with effect from 1 September 2024.
The employer cited the drought, lower than expected United States Dollar revenue inflows and the government’s policy shift towards de-dollarization as reasons for the inability to pay more than the tabled offer.
Also cited was the very low ZiG pay for sections of the civil service whose statutory deductions are in limbo and that the 2024 Mid-term budget has no provision for a salary adjustment.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The teachers' union in Zimbabwe is upset because the government promised a salary increase in US dollars but will actually pay it in local currency. Some teachers borrowed money expecting a USD increase and are now in more debt. The government says they can't pay in USD because of low revenue and policy changes. Civil servants will get a $40 increase in salaries, but it will be in local currency. The government also plans to give a bonus, but details are still being worked out. Teachers are not happy with the situation.

What We Got Is Not A Real Salary Increase - Teachers

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) has rejected the 76 per cent salary hike teachers were offered by the government which is effective 1 August 2019.
In a circular (Circular Letter Number 21 of 26 August 2019) addressed to National Executive Members, Provincial Executive Members, Sub Associations – NAPH, NASH and NASID, ZIMTA secretariat and ZIMTA members, the Association said:
<blockquote>
<h3>                                 OFFER REJECTED!!</h3>
</blockquote>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EC5xKTlXUAUeEw-?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/>

"Offer Rejected!!", Teachers Reject 76% Pay Rise

Workers in Zimbabwe’s sugar industry are calling for a doubling of their current salaries following a sharp rise in inflation in the past month.
The Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZISMWU) president, Freedom Madungwe said that they last received an increment two years ago. He said:
<blockquote>We last got an increment about two years ago. Considering the inflationary pressures in the country, workers are finding it difficult to survive.
We want a 100 per cent salary increment which will see the least paid person getting 700 Zimbabwean bond notes. This is not even enough.</blockquote>
A worker at Triangle Limited, James Mutsamvi said nothing less than a 100 per cent pay hike will suffice. He said:
<blockquote>We want to live a decent life and be able to send our children to school. A 100 per cent salary increment would cushion us from the current economic hardships.</blockquote>
Workers in the sugar industry currently receive a reported RTGS$350 a month. 
However, speaking to NewZimbabwe.com, Tongaat Hulett group chief executive, Sydney Mutsambiwa said that he could not comment on the reports since he had not received any proposal from the workers.
Reports indicate that 18 000 people are employed in the sugar industry with the majority working for Tongaat Hulett.
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Sugar Industry Workers Demand 100% Pay Rise

Zimbabwe mining companies which include units of Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum and Caledonia Mining are to award a wage increase of just under 80% to mine workers.
The salary for the lowest-paid worker in the industry rising to about 480 RTGS dollars per month. Negotiations between the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ) and the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines resulted in the salary adjustment for employees in the industry. Tinago Ruzive, president of the mine workers’ union, said:
<blockquote>Following extensive negotiations between the AMWUZ and the Zimbabwe chamber of mines, we managed to cobble out an agreement of 80% wage/salary increase for the mining industry covering the period January to December 2019.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.fin24.com/Economy/Africa/zimbabwe-miners-to-pay-80-wage-increase-20190314">Fin24</a>

Zim Miners Agree To 80% Wage Increase

In an interview with NewsDay, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions(ZCTU) secretary-general, Japhet Moyo said the 22% salary increment awarded to soldiers has triggered more unions to press for higher pay, and will result in government printing money to pay civil servants.
Moyo said teachers are now demanding for their salary to be increased from 17,5% to 22% while bankers and other workers were also demanding a 22% increment after employers offered an average of 3,8% adjustments. He said the exchange rate has increased on the black market. Moyo also questioned why Government had increased salaries towards elections. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>The exchange rate has gone up and the salaries have already been eroded by inflation and even these increases leave a lot to be desired. Already other workers are complaining. The increases were supposed to be in January, and so they came very late. It could be a coincidence that they came towards elections. What this means is that it will increase pressure on all employers to offer increments of 22%. It also means that government is most likely to be printing money to pay its employees.</blockquote>
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22% Salary Increment For Soldiers Has Negative Effects: ZCTU

Workers at struggling energy producer, Zesa, are demanding a 75 percent salary hike, which is approved will almost double the power utility’s wage bill. Zesa currently generates between $53 million and $59 million in revenue per month while the wage bill currently stands at $22 million per month. At the moment, the lowest paid worker at Zesa, a sweeper, earns $940 per month.
The workers are also demanding various perks and allowances which include
<ul>
<li>A five-day holiday for six family members at any three-star hotel.</li>
<li>Full school fees payment for up to four of the employees’ children</li>
<li>“Climate” Allowance</li>
<li>Cellphone allowances</li>
<li>Non-pensionable allowance (by 20 percent)</li>
<li>Housing (15 percent)</li>
<li>Retention allowance (10 percent)</li>
<li>Responsibility allowance (15 percent)</li>
<li>Transport allowance (from $70 to $160)</li>
<li>Canteen allowance (from $25 to $120).</li>
</ul>
The workers are being represented by the Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU) and National Energy Workers Union of Zimbabwe (NEWZ). Part of the position paper reads:
<blockquote>The rise in the cost of living has continued unabated and has reached alarming levels in recent weeks. One of the critical factors, which has led to the erosion of workers’ salaries is the shortage of cash, be it bond notes or US dollars. To make matters worse, for one to access cash, one has to sleep at a bank and get less than $50 or get it on the black market where charges have escalated to more than 80 percent, especially for US dollars.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/zesa-workers-demand-75pc-salary-raise/">Herald</a>

Zesa Workers Demand 75% Salary Hike, As Least Paid Worker, Gets $940/month

Delivering his keynote address to commemorate Defence Forces Day, Robert Mugabe pledged to improve the working conditions of members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Said Mugabe:
<blockquote>In an effort to improve conditions of service for ZDF, Government has provided staff with vehicles and other equipment. However, a lot is still to be done to provide the forces with medical support, housing, salaries and allowances. Ndozvimwe zvavanochemawo nazvo izvi. Mari inotambirwa yakadzikira, ndinofunga kuti nekusimukira kurikuita nyika yedu vanhu vachazenge vachibhadharwawo zvakakodzera. But hatingati nekuti tiri kupihwa tumari twushoma hatichaita basa renyika, kwete. Basa renyika rinoramba richienderera mberi tinoruzivo rwekuti nyika yedu icharamba ine runyararo pasina bishi nemheremhere. Ichasvika kwekuperera, mari inenge yawanikwa and hurumende yakugona kupa vanhu masalaries akati kwire. It is also strongly recommended that the housing projects in Dzivarasekwa, Khumalo and Zimbabwe Military Academy, aimed at improving housing provision for the ZDF, be resuscitated.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/president-lauds-zdf-for-maintaining-peace/">Herald</a>, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/08/16/mugabe-pledges-improve-working-conditions-soldiers/">NewsDay</a>

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