The Sunday Mail
Debra Matabvu/Lincoln Towindo
Civil servants will report for duty tomorrow while their representatives return to the negotiating table with Government in crucial talks over a salary adjustment and improved working conditions.
A 14-day ultimatum given to Government by the Apex Council, which represents civil servants, lapsed last Friday.
While reports from some sections of the media yesterday suggested that teachers have been directed by their representatives not to report for duty starting tomorrow, it has emerged that unions have withdrawn the directive.
It has also emerged that false statements purportedly from teachers’ unions agitating for a civil service-led “shutdown” have been circulating on social media.
Yesterday, representatives of Government employees said a pronouncement on the way forward will only be made after tomorrow’s meeting with Government.
At tomorrow’s meeting, the third such between the parties this year, civil servants’ representatives will respond to a $300 million offer tabled by Government negotiators during the last round of talks.
Public sector workers were offered a cushioning allowance which they began withdrawing last Friday.
Apex council chairperson, Mrs Cecilia Alexander said negotiations with Government will take precedence.
She said: “We are going to meet the Government on Monday and we are going to give the dialogue a chance.
“After the meeting we will have a meeting as Apex Council and decide a way forward.
“Of course the 14-day ultimatum lapsed on Friday, however, no one is on strike at the moment”
She added that they had started receiving allowances for transport hence everyone is expected to report for duty.
“We would also want to dispel statements circulating on social media that we have called for a shut down. It is false information, we are reporting for duty on Monday.”
Public Service Commission secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said tomorrow’s meeting will address civil servants housing needs.
Responding to questions from The Sunday Mail he said: “Government is meeting worker representatives on Monday 28 January at 10 am.
“We are confident that the need to maintain good faith is recognised by all.
“Apart from the ongoing discussions, which will proceed within the known timelines, Government continues to pursue initiatives that address the basic needs of public servants, chief among which is access to affordable housing.”
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Sekai Nzenza said the meeting will clarify issues around workers’ welfare.
“The meeting will be held on Monday (Tomorrow) with the civil servants expected to give a reply to the $300 million they were offered by Government,” she said.
“They have not also given formal notice of the strike, so the dialogue will definitely clear up some issues.”
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) secretary general, Mr Tapson Sibanda said the union representatives would meet with members after the meeting with Government to give them feedback.
“ZIMTA will definitely be at the meeting and afterwards we will meet with our constituencies for the way forward.”
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president, Dr Takavafira Zhou said they would attend the meeting with Government.
The workers are demanding a $1 733 salary for the least for the least paid worker, up from $414 inclusive of allowances.
Meanwhile, Government will this week convene a Tripartite Negotiating Forum meeting to find ways to provide relief for private sector workers.
The meeting, which was initially scheduled for last week failed to take place after leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions absconded.
The Sunday Mail has gathered that ZCTU leaders, Mr Japhet Moyo (secretary general) and Mr Peter Mutasa (president) failed to pitch up for the meeting despite invites having been sent to their respective offices.
While all other parties including employer representatives under the Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Federation of trade Unions and Government were in attendance, the absence of the ZCTU representatives meant quorum was not reached.
As a result, the meeting has been rescheduled for this week, with the ZCTU having now agreed to send representatives.
Dr Nzenza said the meeting will now proceed this week.
“The meeting failed to go ahead because we did not have representatives from the ZCTU. As a result we did not have the quorum to allow for the meeting to proceed,” said Dr Nzenza.
“We tried our best to get hold of both Mr Moyo and Mr Mutasa but they were all unavailable so the labour side was not adequately represented.
“I have since called for another meeting for early next week and we have been given guarantees that the ZCTU side will be available for the meeting.
“I am very keen to work closely with both labour and the employers so we can lay the framework for a social contract.
“We are also moving ahead with our plans to table the TNF Bill before Parliament.
“The law has already gone through Cabinet and once Parliament resumes which should be next week, we plan to table it for debate.”
The proposed meeting will be the first one between the three social partners following the dawn of the new political dispensation.
Government is putting in place an array of interventions, including reconvening the TNF, to provide relief to workers in the wake rising cost of living.
Authorities have identified the TNF platform as an avenue for finding a lasting solution to conflict between the three social partners — Government, business and labour.
