By Own Correspondent

The Government has announced a comprehensive package aimed at boosting the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, including a special festive season bonus, vehicle rebates, improved healthcare access and housing incentives.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said the measures were part of ongoing efforts to build a motivated and productive public service while acknowledging the dedication of government employees.

Under the new plan, all civil servants will receive a one-off Special Presidential Bonus of US$150, to be paid in two instalments of US$75 in November and December 2025.

This bonus will come on top of the regular annual bonus and monthly salaries.

Moyo said a new Job Evaluation Remuneration Framework would be rolled out in the first quarter of 2026, a move expected to align pay structures with performance and job responsibilities.

In a further boost, the vehicle rebate scheme for government employees has been fully restored to 2022 benefit levels rewarding long-serving staff members in line with Statutory Instrument 124 of 2022.

The benefit will take effect from 1 December 2025.

The Government is also moving to strengthen medical benefits by recapitalising the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) to ensure sustainable access to quality healthcare for public workers and pensioners.

To promote long-term welfare, Moyo said 26,000 housing stands have been identified for civil servants--20,000 in Harare and 6,000 in Bulawayo with more allocations planned nationwide.

"These measures reaffirm the Government's dedication to uplifting the welfare of its workers and pensioners, ensuring their continued contribution to efficient and responsive public service delivery," Moyo added.

Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has slammed the government’s offer of a one-off Special Presidential Bonus of US$150 to all civil servants, calling it an insult.

ARTUZ hit back, saying teachers’ pay shouldn’t be tied to the branding of a sitting President, who is a civil servant like them.

In a statement, the union described the temporary boost as little more than a mockery from the political elite. It said: “We feel insulted! Our salaries should not be linked to the branding of a sitting President who is also a Civil servant like us. [President Emmerson Mnangagwa] and his team must respect us as the professionals we are. We thank taxpayers who contribute towards both ED and our own salaries. We are angered that the bulk of taxpayers contributions are being channeled to the politically connected at the expense of hard working Civil Servants. The incumbent President slashed our salaries from USD 540. Inflation has since raised cost of living beyond the 2018 cost of living. This temporary increase of income is a mockery from the elites.”