The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has on Tuesday scoffed at the government’s pledge to award civil servants a ‘cushioning allowance ‘ and described it as “modern day slavery”.
The labour body’s president Peter Mutasa said his organisation will embark on a massive industrial action in protest of the “mockery” displayed by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.
In an exclusive interview with Zim Morning Post, Mutasa said the term “cushioning allowance” does not exist in the labour vocabulary and they will contest it with a massive stay away in the coming days.
“We are not accepting modern day slavery, an industrial action is the solution starting from July 22 we will have a two day stay away and if we are not heard we will take it to the next stage”
“Mthuli Ncube is a hypocrite, he acknowledges that he is not giving workers a living wage but hides with a cushion allowance which is not sustainable and not legal and unsustainable, this is what we call modern day slavery,” fumed Mutasa.
Mutasa said ZCTU will continue to ensure workers are given a bankable and sustainable living wage if the government does not adhere to industrial action will be the only option.
“We have been saying this for some time now, we want a living wage for every worker either a US dollar or equivalent rate salary for every employee has not been listening therefore we are now going for an industrial action”
Yesterday Finance Minister announced a cushion allowance for Civil Servants this month to curb the economic hardships bedeviling the country.
“We are going to make an announcement in terms of a cushioning allowance in the next weeks and industries may you to follow the suit and look after your employees. We realized companies have been making these profits and we have been taking care of our shareholders but leaving out our employees,” announced Ncube.
Mutasa reiterated that the allowance is not legal and the government can withdraw it whenever they want thus government should adhere to their demands of a living wage.
