ZIMRA workers’ cry for help falls on deaf ears as Parliament refuses to intervene

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda this week refused to hear a petition from Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) workers, citing that the issues raised are labour related and can be resolved in a court of law.

The petition, which was submitted to Parliament, sought to bring attention to the workers’ incapacitation and requested guidance on the matter.

The workers also asked Parliament to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to ZIMRA through the enforcement of the previous Parliament recommendations on the ZIMRA Funding Model.

However, Speaker Mudenda informed the House that the petition was deemed inadmissible, and the petitioners have since been advised to seek legal action instead.

“I also have to inform the House that Parliament received a petition from Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) workers beseeching Parliament to investigate the causes of the workers’ incapacitation, provide guidance on the matter and ensure that adequate resources are allocated to ZIMRA through the enforcement of the previous Parliament recommendations on the ZIMRA Funding Model.

The petition was deemed inadmissible as the issues raised in the petition are labour issues which can be resolved in a court of law. The petitioners have since been advised accordingly,” Mudenda said during Tuesday’s parliamentary seating.

Last month, the Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Trade Union (ZIMRATU) penned an urgent letter, lamenting the dire straits their members face due to paltry salaries.

The workers declared incapacitation, citing their inability to meet basic needs like shelter, transport, food, and school fees.

In the letter, signed by ZIMRATU president Dominic Manyangadze, the union expressed frustration over management’s refusal to engage with them regarding their salaries.

“We are now incapacitated to afford basic human needs like shelter, transport, food, and education, among others,” the letter reads.

“It is disheartening that the salary of a ZIMRA worker can no longer afford basic food items due to inflationary pressures and the continuous dollarisation of the economy.”

The union highlighted the rapid erosion of salaries, leaving workers destitute and forced to resort to borrowing and side hustles to make ends meet.

“Medical services are now accessible in US dollars, while the cost of living has significantly increased due to drought, exchange rate fluctuations, and inflationary pressures,” the letter states.

The union added that despite the challenging working conditions, ZIMRA workers have continued to perform exceptionally well. However, all non-managerial workers are now reliant on borrowing to supplement their eroded wages.

“There are significant price increases on basic commodities, school fees, health expenses, and communication, among other costs,” the letter further reads.

“The ZIMRA workers have continued to perform exceptionally well even in the face of very difficult working and economic conditions but are now having to supplement their incomes from side hustles.”