By Own Correspondent

PANDEMONIUM has struck the country’s leading distance education institution, Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) staffers following a wave of receiving salaries in the negative balance in a development likely to compromise service delivery.

A leaked memo seen by The Worker, reveals that The ZOU Human resources Officer Yeukai Museruka raised the issue as a matter of urgent concern.

“Kindly, be advised that it has come to the attention of the University  that there are some staff members who are now getting negative salaries because their deductions are more than their earnings.

“According to the Labour Act, the aggregate permissible deductions should not exceed 25% of one’s own earnings,” she said.

Maseruka said as a way to rectify the issue of negative salaries, the human resources unit shall with immediate effect cease the deductions which include; Tuition fees exemptions  , Order voluntary personal deductions, funeral policies and medical aid for dependents.

“Please note that the above deductions shall be terminated without notifying the affected employees whenever the salaries are in the negative.

“To avoid negative salaries members are encouraged to always monitor their voluntary deductions,” she added.

However, trade union activists have criticised the ZOU for failing to increase salaries and going after scrapping  fundamental needs like funeral assurance and medical aid.