Standard
By Bertha Shoko
31 January 2010
CIVIL servants will hold make-or-break talks with government negotiators on Tuesday amid warnings a crippling strike is imminent. The meeting comes a week after the 14-day strike ultimatum issued by civil servants passed without any action.
Education Minister David Coltart and his Public Service counterpart Eliphas Mukonoweshuro failed to take the civil servants’ grievances to cabinet because it has not been sitting.
The government workers want their salaries increased four-fold from the current US$150 for the lowest paid civil servant.
Raymond Majongwe, the Progressive Teachers’ Union (PTUZ) secretary general said if Tuesday’s meeting of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) does not yield positive results teachers will down tools.
“We are pleading with government to show a bit of commitment when we meet on Tuesday,†he said.
Their members, he said, were growing impatient with the unending negotiations.
Coltart yesterday said in the various meetings he has held with the unions they expressed their unhappiness over government’s continued lavish spending when it says it cannot improve their salaries.
“Their concern has been the cost of local and foreign travel by cabinet and many other things so this has made them believe that there is money out there somewhere,†he said.
“They want everyone to tighten their belts because of the economic crisis.â€
Coltart said he had also held discussions with Finance Minister Tendai Biti who has agreed to meet representatives of civil servants when he returns from the United States.
The minister will also brief cabinet when it resumes its meetings.
However, Mukonoweshuro appeared to pour cold water over Coltart’s optimism saying the government was just broke.
“What we have here is a case where there isn’t that financial fiscus space on the part of government,†he said.
“Civil servants will have to be a bit more patient while government looks into their concerns.â€