Government Splits Bonus Payment as ZiG Currency Crisis Hits Civil Servants Hard
Starting next week, Zimbabwe’s government workers will receive their end-of-year bonus in two parts – the first coming with November’s pay and the second in December.
Civil servants in Zimbabwe are set to start receiving their 2024 annual bonus from next week, with the Government paying in two instalments.iharare news
The Public Service Ministry’s head, Simon Masanga, confirmed they’ve already boosted workers’ pay to help with money troubles. “A salary agreement was signed and the cost-of-living adjustment has been paid with arrears,” he said.
The government has set up a clear order for payments. Security forces will get paid first, then health workers, followed by teachers, and other government staff after that. Like last year, traditional leaders and their assistants will also get their bonuses.
Zimbabwe Treasury Opens Money Taps as Civil Servants Win Massive Double Payment Deal. IHarare news
Speaking for government workers, Cecilia Alexander from the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions backed the payment plan. “According to our agreement with the employer, the bonus will be paid in two instalments. The first 50 percent will come with the November salary and the remainder will be paid in December. I understand the paysheets (for the bonuses) were finalised yesterday (Thursday),” she said.
The decision to split payments into two parts aims to prevent overcrowding at banks and reduce queues. This bonus announcement comes when workers are struggling because the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency has lost much of its value. After ZiG dropped by 42 percent, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had to step in and give workers more money.
These bonus payments are just one part of ongoing discussions between worker representatives and the government in the National Joint Negotiating Council. They recently agreed to increase salaries for workers paid in local currency, trying to protect their money from losing more value as prices keep going up.
The government wants to make sure workers can handle rising costs while keeping the payment system running smoothly.
