New bonus dates for civil servants set

By Mary Taruvinga

Government on Thursday promised to pay nurses and doctors’ bonuses next Wednesday following threats to down tools if the 13th cheque is not paid by Monday next week. The swift move which was intended to stop the industrial strike will also include the rest of civil servants.

Acting minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Walter Mzembi, told journalists on Thursday that the health sector workers and the rest of the civil service will get their bonuses next week and the subsequent week respectively.

“Cognisant of the difficult cash flow challenges treasury is experiencing, government remains committed to paying its obligations to civil servants as promised. The health sector, inclusive of related Grant Aided Institutions, will get their bonuses on the 14th of this month while the rest of the civil service, also inclusive of the Grant Aided Institutions, will get their bonus on January 23,” he said.

He said the government will honour its promise to prevent any inconveniences.

“The promise will be honoured and be fulfilled without failure,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) had on Tuesday given the government an ultimatum to pay outstanding bonuses by this Friday or face industrial action.

A memorandum, sent last year by government, stated that bonuses would be paid on January 2, but that was not to be. The Zimbabwe Mail