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servants’ remuneration in line with the poverty datum line.
The PDL currently stands at over US$500 for an average family of six.
In an interview at the weekend, Deputy Minister Langa lambasted Finance Minister Tendai Biti for failing to provide funds for civil servants’ salaries and urged him to urgently act on the matter.
He said his ministry had since sent a proposal to the minister seeking a review of Government workers’ salaries to levels above the PDL.
He, however, raised concern over the minister’s conduct, which he said was more about politicking at the expense of productivity.
“We are really concerned with the plight of our civil servants. As a ministry we have made proposals to review the civil servants salaries so that they earn something which is above the poverty datum line.
“However, this is being delayed by Mr Biti’s politicking, he has the money but he is playing hide-and-seek. We are trying everything within our power to address the issues of salaries.
“the President is also involved in this issue and we hope that Minister Biti will see the light any time soon,” said Deputy Minister Langa.
He added that the country has only one Head of State and it was disturbing for the minister of Finance to frustrate the hardworking Government workers.
“Personally, as a minister I am concerned about the plight of our patriotic civil servants. We are very much ready to engage with their representatives to find a lasting solution to the salaries issue,”s he said.
The deputy minister, however, could neither confirm nor deny that the ministers had been awarded a 200 percent salary increase saying that was not subject for discussion.
“I cannot discuss ministers’ or legislators’ salaries, what is important is that we work together as stakeholders and find a solution to the problem we are currently facing.
“The welfare of our civil servants is of paramount importance to government hence we are working tirelessly to get the grievances resolved. As soon as we get the money and our proposal is considered, we will give them better salaries,” said Cde Langa.
The Public Service is the country’s biggest employer and on average most workers are earning less than US$200 per month.