Govt Satisfied With Civil Servant Salaries – Mnangagwa

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa says the government is satisfied with civil service salaries, arguing that the lowest-paid worker now earns above the Poverty Datum Line (PDL).

Mnangagwa said salary negotiations would continue through the proper channels, but added that the government takes pride in paying wages that are higher than those offered in the private sector.

His remarks came in response to a question from Teresa Kabondo, a senator for Matabeleland North Province, who asked when civil servants’ salaries would next be reviewed, given the time that has passed since the last adjustment. Said Mnangagwa:

“Indeed, it has been quite some time since there was a salary review. These salary reviews usually come as cost-of-living adjustments, but we have experienced some stability over the last year and a half.

“Just to give some context around the architecture of the lowest-paid civil servant, you will find that it is US$320 and a ZiG equivalent of about US$40 or US$60. I will have to check those numbers.

“This puts all our civil servants from the lowest paid — the cleaner — to the highest paid, above the poverty datum line. This is something we have strived over and over to achieve.”

Mnangagwa said the private sector has actually been among those complaining that the Government is moving too quickly in increasing salaries. He said:

“It might come as a surprise, but the Government does pay better than the private sector at this moment.

“So, while these discussions are ongoing between the employer and the employees, we will strive to ensure that our civil servants, particularly the lowest paid, are always above the poverty datum line.”

– _Chronicle_