The Sunday News
News Editor
GOVERNMENT funded domestic workers and other casual workers will from this month earn US$100 non- taxable cushioning allowance per month in addition to their salaries.
The workers will join other civil servants and those employed by independent commissions who have also been added into the bracket of workers set to start to receive a US$ component of their earnings this month. Student teachers, who have over the years also complained over their allowances, will also benefit, it has been learnt.
Last month, the Government announced a 20 percent salary increase for its workers which was backdated to January, and a US$100 per month in hard currency with effect from this month.
Other incentives that were announced specifically for teachers included the payment of school fees for up to three biological children per teaching family, with an upper limit of $20 000 per child per term, paid directly to the school.
In addition, Government announced that it will build 34 000 housing units (125 blocks of flats) over a five-year period as institutional accommodation including critical amenities, for teachers within the school premises.
Other benefits for teachers included the green light to import cars duty free. However, in a letter seen by Sunday
News written by Secretary for the Treasury Mr George Guvamatanga and addressed to Secretary for the Public Service Commission Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe, the Government said the US$100 will also be paid even to Government funded domestic workers.
Senior Government workers enjoy benefits of domestic workers that are paid directly by the Government.
“Treasury notes your proposal that the US$100 and US$50 to civil servants and Government pensioners, respectively, be treated as a Cushioning Allowance which is non-taxable and with be indicted on the salary key scale as a foot note.
Furthermore, Treasury notes that the US$100 will be payable to all Civil Servants from Grades A3 to F including Government funded domestic workers, Aides to visually impaired, student teachers and casual workers,” the letter dated 7 March read.
Mr Guvamatanga said the cushioning allowance will also benefit members of independent commissions, Parliament of Zimbabwe, Auditor-General, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency as well as Grant Aided Institutions.
“Accordingly, Treasury concurs to the implementation of the Cushioning Allowance to the Civil Service, Security Forces, Independent Commissions, Parliament of Zimbabwe, Auditor General, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency and Grant Aided Institutions and US$50 to Government Pensioners with effect from 1 March.”
Civil servants have also all along been receiving a US$75 per month Covid-19 allowance. And if maintained will take their monthly allowances to US$175. The Government has always expressed its willingness to improve the working conditions of its workers.
However, the move by the Government has put pressure on the private sector with workers unions calling upon companies to also consider cushioning their workers by paying part of their salaries in foreign currency. However, the Government has insisted that it will not re-dollarise the economy.
