The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) has welcomed the review of salaries for civil servants which saw the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube converting the US$300 COVID-19 allowance into a pensionable salary but called for an increase of the USD wages.
ZIMTA chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said the move by the government was commendable.
The salary changes were announced by Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube during his 2024 budget presentation at Parliament
“The Minister (Ncube) has reviewed the salaries by converting Covid-19 allowance to a pensionable salary and that is what we had recommended. That is very welcome but the quantum must be reviewed upwards because US$300 is below what we have been lobbying for, which is US$800,” said Dr Ndlovu.
He said teachers were middle-income earners and “they must earn a minimum of US$800 per month”.
“At least for now, we applaud the thinking that salaries will be paid in United States dollars. Some can get a pension in USD,” said the ZIMTA CEO.
Dr Ndlovu said the ZW$750,000 tax-free threshold on salaries was meagre but it will be a guide for robust salary negotiations for next year.
The government has pegged the salary tax-free threshold at ZW$750,000 up from ZW$75,000 per month with effect from 1 January 2024 while the bonus tax-free amount is now ZW$7,5 million up from ZW$500,000 with effect from 1 November 2023.
