Zimbabwean civil servants have called on the government to reduce their electric power bills while they are waiting for an increase in salaries, saying power charges eat up much of their current US$150-200 allowances.
Worker representatives also recommended addressing disparities in pay between those employed by the government, including teachers and clerical workers, and employees of state-controlled enterprises, who are better paid.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association President Tendayi Chikowore, chairwoman of the Apex Council which bargains with the government on behalf of civil servants, said worker representatives have made recommendations on those lines to the Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonweshuro, who is expected to present them to the Cabinet.
Government officials and representatives of state workers on Friday were wrapping up a two-day meeting in Kariba, a northern resort town, during which participants tried to find a common ground on compensation.
Civil servants have been demanding salary increases since early this year, at one point going out on strike.
Chikowore told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that the Apex Council is maintaining a dialog with the government in the aim of seeing salaries hiked to approximately US$600 a month.