Zim Now Writer
Employees at State broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, have pleaded with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services to have half of their salaries paid in United States dollars to cushion them against inflation.
Workers committee chairperson at the broadcaster, Maushe Mutetepi told Parliament yesterday that 50 members of staff left ZBC last year owing to low salaries, a trend he said was likely to worsen if nothing is done urgently to address the situation.
Mutetepi added that ZBC had now become a training ground for other media houses and the new players who are coming on board are the major beneficiaries.
“Staff retention and understaffing are a serious issue. Last year, 50 employees left ZBC. From our engineering department, eight left. Some are on exit as we speak and the major reason is remuneration,” Mutetepi said.
He added that the salary increments awarded to workers recently were gobbled up by inflation and price increases as they were based on the interbank rate prevailing then.
This has shifted significantly with the interbank rate now at ZWL$803.9186 per USD.
“We are kindly asking Parliament to help us get a US dollar component on our salaries because most bills such as rentals and transport are now pegged in US$.”
The lowest paid worker at ZBC, Mutetepi told Parly, was getting ZWL$188 000.
The ZBC workers committee chairperson added that the workers were also appealing for land from government so that they can carry out various farming activities to sustain their families.
“The majority of ZBC employees don’t have houses and the biggest part of welfare is accommodation.”
Chairperson of the Information committee, Sipho Mokone said ZBC management never brought up employee welfare issues when they appeared before Parliament.
Rutendo MazhinduZim Now ReporterThe much-anticipated Mbudzi Interchange project, a significant infrastructure development aimed at easing traffic congestion in Harare, is nearing completion. As of n..
ZimbabweZIFA Congress members snubbed his freebies and now he attacks his rivalsOscar J JekeZim Now WriterTemba Mliswa has come out to move for the elimination of all viable rivals in the Zimbabwe Football ..
ZimbabwePhilemon JambayaZim Now EditorIn a bid to recover outstanding debts, the Bulawayo City Council has taken the drastic measure of cutting off water supplies to 59 schools in the city. This move has sp..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments