By Pemphero Malimba:
Divisions have rocked the civil service after the Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) and the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) settled for 20 percent salary increment last week.
CSTU leaders and GNT officials also settled for a 50 percent increment on allowances and a range of between 10 and 40 percent increment on leave grants effective April 1 2025.
However, some workers from various government ministries and departments, who are calling themselves Concerned Civil Servants, have expressed dissatisfaction with the agreed terms.
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The group’s secretary, Gloria Kagona, told The Daily Times Monday that at least 1,000 members from various government ministries and agencies were “not satisfied” with the increment agreed by the two sides.
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“When we talk about commodity prices, they [prices] are very high at the moment but when we talk about our salaries, we get little. The salary and commodity prices are not tallying, such that we are in a difficult situation.
“So, what we are asking for here is that the government should listen to us regarding our concerns,” Kagona said.
She said members of the group wanted the government to restructure the increments.
“We want our salaries to increase by up to 44 percent, as we agreed with our leaders, and not 20 percent, which they have given us.
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“On allowances, what we want is a 200 percent [increment] because the cost of living has risen,” Kagona said.
She said they would take their issues to Parliament, where members of Parliament are meeting, so that their concerns can be addressed.
“We know nothing about this [group]. You are aware that, this time around, we have so much freedom attached to us. So, we are just wondering about what is motivating them to take this step,” Gomani said.
She wondered why the group was making decisions without consulting the official union on the matter.
“It could have been good for them to come to our offices and ask about what really happened during the negotiations that made us to agree to that 20 percent salary increment and 50 percent allowances [increment] and 40 percent [increase on] leave grants. That way, they will learn about the truth of the matter,” Gomani said.
She said they would not be part of any action the grouping would take.
“Reaching this far, we don’t know them and we are not part of them in decisions they have managed to take,” she said.
Earlier, GNT Chairperson Charles Kalemba told The Daily Times that the increment was made after reaching a consensus with the union.
“As you know, the proposal was 44 percent but we reasoned together because when you talk about the civil service, we are the ones who make the money. Therefore, we looked at our position as the government currently,” Kalemba said.
