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Minister Chinamasa

THE announcement by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa that civil servants will receive their bonuses this year is a welcome development. All the more because it was not expected.

It sends an important message that Government is concerned about the welfare of its workers, even when it is strained for resources.

Most civil servants are struggling to survive on earnings that are below the poverty datum line.

In trying to make ends meet, many of them have become heavily indebted through various credit schemes, some of them demanding usurious interests.

Used wisely, the 13th cheque can provide some relief and possibly be a stepping stone to the acquisition of consumer goods that improve the quality of daily life.

Besides strengthening people’s faith in the Government and providing much-needed reprieve for civil servants, the payments of bonuses will also benefit other people.

Service providers and retailers will reap the downwind benefits of the increased buying power of civil servants.

On the other hand, the awarding of bonuses also seems to suggest that Government is committed to improve the service package of its workers and that better salary could be negotiated when resources become available.

Bonuses are all good, but it is only a meaningful monthly income that can improve a person’s life.

That said, civil servants should take the opportunity provided by the extra income to bring positive change to their circumstances, no matter how limited.

Simple measures like stocking up on non-perishable provisions, paying of school fees or using the bonus to settle existing debt will result in a better 2015.

But each year many civil servants go into a buying frenzy and leave themselves vulnerable to thieves and con-artists.

Every retailer and credit provider targets civil servants for credit options because they have a stable job.

No doubt special packages are speedily being crafted for this segment to cater for the announced bonus.

While these may sound attractive, it is imprudent borrowing that has left many civil servants in dire straits in the first place.

Therefore people should learn the culture of foregoing the ephemeral pleasure of consumerism in preference for soundly budgeted spending.

Otherwise the bonus brings only temporary pleasure, soon followed by desperation as the New Year begins and the bills have to be settled.

Meanwhile, most players in the private sector have indicated that they are unable to make bonus payments this year.

While in some cases the assertion is valid and the workers have no choice but to accept the situation — there is a general perception that even those that are in a position to pay are capitalising on the situation.

That includes companies which have joined the retrenchment spree just to avoid paying their workers or as a way of giving a wage increase.

It is blatant exploitation of the worker and we are glad that Government has shown the way even when it is a worse situation than most private companies.

Employers must learn to deal in good faith with workers.

The tradition of a bonus became established for a good reason and trying to erase it by exaggerating the economic situation is totally unfair to the workers.