A much-awaited meeting between Zimbabwean government officials and representatives of civil servants on Thursday proved disappointing for the latter when it was made clear that Harare would not be meeting demands for a major increase in compensation.
Sources present at the meeting said the lowest-paid public employees would receive US$9 more a month in 2011 while those at the top of the pay scale will earn US$12 more.
The government increased the transport allowance from $8 to $32 and the allowance for housing rose by US$9 to US$24, which state workers said was a pittance.
Civil servants had been eagerly awaiting their January pay slips hoping to see an increase in salaries taking base wages for civil servants to US$500 a month.
Most Zimbabwean public workers earn less than $200 a month.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Takavafira Zhou told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the Apex Council which negotiates for public servants has given the government seven days to come up with a more meaningful pay increase.
