In a collaborative effort between the government and Public Service Unions, a salary increment of K550 across the board for civil servants has been agreed upon, effective January 1, 2024. The decision comes after 10 days of negotiations involving representatives from 19 workers’ unions in Chilanga District.
A joint press statement released and signed by Margaret Miyoba, Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Management Division, and union representatives outlines the key terms of the agreement. In addition to the salary increment, the parties have decided to revise the rate of transport allowance from 15 percent to 20 percent of the monthly basic salary. The rate of meal allowance will also see an increase from One Hundred Kwacha to One Hundred and Thirty Kwacha. Importantly, other existing conditions of service for Public Service employees will remain unchanged.
The negotiation process has been marked by mutual cooperation, with both the government and unions committed to finding a balanced agreement. The parties have also expressed their commitment to continuing engagement to address any outstanding administrative matters related to conditions of service.
During a press briefing, Foster Matakala, President of the United Public and Allied Workers Union of Zambia, spoke on behalf of other unions, stating that the agreed-upon offer of K550 across the board is a fair compromise considering the economic challenges facing the country. Matakala emphasized that the unions recognize the current economic situation and are not demanding beyond the government’s affordability.
“We know the challenges that our country is going through, and we cannot demand beyond what the Government can afford,” said Mr. Matakala.
Inambao Sitwala, Deputy General Secretary for the United Health and Allied Workers Union of Zambia, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the K550 offer is acceptable, especially given the government’s plan to employ more public workers in the health and education sectors by January 1, 2024. The unions acknowledge that the increased workforce will contribute to a higher wage bill, and the agreed-upon terms reflect a practical and sustainable solution for the present economic conditions.
The salary increment, along with the adjustments in allowances, is anticipated to positively impact the welfare of civil servants while aligning with the government’s fiscal responsibilities.
I hope that workers have learnt something from the outcome of these negotiations. The real winners are the Union leaders because they’ll have more money in their pockets. All Unions have received a uniform increment, so what’s the benefit of having too many of them? It doesn’t make sense for a single employer to deal with over 20 Unions. It disadvantages workers as their voice will be divided on critical matters depending on the greed of their representatives. Members’ contributions are abused with impunity
This is not an increase. Civil servants dont produce so you are just printing them money that they dont earn.( In fact Civil service should be downsized) Its just a reaction to the inflation and since our Kwacha is going mad it will only last days in terms of value. We are still in the ditch until the president stops wasting our money on useless trips abroad and focuses on creating jobs in the country.
Manje this increament can’t even buy 2 bags of mealie meal, what a joke!!
Learn to appreciate
Like always fooling the gullible followers…HH is wasting billions with his Foreign shopping trips with his wife and massive entourage…..K550 monthly Salary increase is a joke….no wonder Corruption is on the rise now in Zambia and by the way Corruption now is done publicly…nothing to hide….
Cost of living is up. F00lish boz governor who we fired is unsurprisingly failing to manage inflation. Yet hh brought him back because he is t0nga. Tribal government
Is the K550 increment per month or yearly? Just asking as the report is not very clear.
The same K550 will just be used to pay their house servant whose salary is also increased by K500 so they won’t even enjoy this increment.
And you expect the private sector to implement minimum wages
Cost of living is up caused by defaulting and people who think they are patriotic citizens but act otherwise. Let us all be good citizens because we have only one Zambia. You see others are away to other countries with stolen money and they are just drinking and they do not care the welfare of the country. Us who are in the country are feeling the pinch.
Light at the end of the tunnel