By Own Correspondent

The Senate has tabled an agenda for the government to urgently review civil servants’ salaries in line with the real cost of living.

For years, unions representing government workers have been calling for salaries to be restored to 2018 levels, when the lowest-paid employees earned the equivalent of about US$400. Economic shocks and inconsistent policies have eroded earnings, prompting a mass exodus of skilled professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.

Senator Sithabisiwe Moyo recently tabled a motion in the Upper House demanding an immediate and comprehensive solution to address the worsening plight of government workers.

“The situation on the ground is not fair. Our civil servants are suffering. Our teachers, nurses, clerks and other civil servants are living in poverty while struggling to do their jobs. For example, the average Zimbabwean teacher earns about 350 per month, which is not enough to pay rent or buy food,” said Moyo.

She further urged the government to consider a 50% salary increase and to prioritise restoring wages to the 2018 standard.

“The civil service is collapsing, Hon. President, we must give civil servants a salary increment now, approve an emergency salary increase so that the teachers, nurses and other civil servants earn enough to survive. A 50% increase would do, we must restore their salaries to that of the US dollar era value of 2019 and this should be a top priority,” said Moyo.

The deteriorating working environment in public institutions has fuelled widespread disgruntlement among civil servants, undermining service delivery—particularly for low-income communities that rely heavily on government services.