Civil servants lose patience over bonus

By Pamela Shumba

Civil servants have said they are losing patience with the government as it is still to announce dates for the payment of their 2015 annual bonuses. The government has been promising to announce the payment dates.

Apex Council president Richard Gundane yesterday said they were tired of the promises and called on the government to treat the issue with urgency.

“Anxiety levels have reached breaking point. There’s a desperate need for the government to clarify its position with regards to the civil servants’ 13th cheques. We don’t expect them to tell us the same thing over and over again.

“We’re tired of the same promise being made over and over again. It’s high time they told us something different and positive. We want the government to show commitment by giving the exact dates. All the unions are concerned and we’re calling on the government to treat this concern as a matter of urgency,” said Gundane.

Meanwhile, teachers will uncharacteristically receive their December salaries after Christmas. They received their payslips indicating salaries will be in the banks on December 28.

Gundane expressed unhappiness at the government for paying teachers after Christmas, saying the development creates a social strain as it separates them from their families.

“The teachers received their payslips confirming that they’ll get their December salaries on December 28. This is an awkward arrangement which has raised serious concern among the educators.

“This should have been avoided because it has denied the teachers their Christmas. Most of them work away from their families and they’ve been at their work stations since schools closed waiting for their salaries so that they can travel home and see their families,” said Gundane.

Traditionally, teachers receive their December salaries around the 19th. Their bonuses, as those of other civil servants are often paid in November but last year the government ended up staggering bonus payments due to cash flow challenges. Some government workers received their 13th cheques in January this year.

Members of the uniformed forces got their salaries on December 8, without bonuses. Last week, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira said the issue of bonuses was work in progress and urged the workers to bear with the government.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa had earlier assured civil servants that they will get their bonuses. The Chronicle