Public prosecutors threaten strike, demand US$900 ...

Public prosecutors threaten strike, demand US$900 salary

Zim Now Writer

Public prosecutors across the country are mooting a crippling job action next week against their employer, National Prosecuting Authority, demanding an upward review of their salaries based on 2018 rates.

The pay entry level for a junior prosecutor in 2018 was US$899, but currently they earn ZWL$100 000, which is equivalent to US$100, plus an additional US$200 government allowance.

The NPA is accused of neglecting the welfare of low-ranking staffers while pampering senior law officers in the grade of chief or provincial public prosecutors.

According to reports a chief or provincial public prosecutors earn in the range of ZWL$2 million and ZWL$3 million and fuel coupons for their allocated double cab vehicles, Isuzus, Toyota Fortuners or Ford Everests.

In a letter dated April 5, 2023, the Prosecutors’ Association of Zimbabwe gave their employer notice to urgently address concerns or face a nationwide strike starting April 20.

“This serves as formal notice to engage in collective job action in terms of section 104 of the Labour Act,” wrote PAZ.

“This is also based on a poll which has been endorsed by members who casted votes. We also take cognisance of the fact that we do not fall under any of the exceptions which ban employees from engaging in collective job action.

“We appreciate that the grounds for giving such notice must be matters of dispute of interest as required by law.”

Through the notice, the workers’ association highlighted that issues formulating grounds for the strike included, among others, salary review based on 2018 rates, payment of responsibility and retention allowances for public prosecutors who head stations, and promotions of deserving individuals.

“Hence our position is that if the above issues are not attended to within 14 days as required by the law, public prosecutors will engage in collective job action on the 20th of April, 2023,” said PAZ.

The labour body lamented that previous meetings with employer failed to resolve the listed concerns.

But in a harsh response to the affected public prosecutors’ proposed strike, NPA Acting Secretary Tafadzwa Mupariwa, representing Acting Prosecutor-General Nelson Mutsonziwa, warned of unspecified punishment to anyone who participated in the job action whose notice he described as “defective”.

“The Authority notes that the notice is fatally defective at law and therefore a nullity. The PAZ has been advised.

“In light of the defects in the notice for industrial action, be advised that any industrial action based on that defective notice is unlawful,” said Mupariwa.

The employer argued it was currently seized with improving working conditions and general welfare of staffers.

“These include the provision of station vehicles, whose pilot project has seen the distribution of 19 brand new Isuzu single cab vehicles.

“The next stage is now the provision of vehicles, and conditions of service for prosecutors in charge of stations. This is a phased approach and we hope to equip all the stations progressively,” said NPA.

The authority further noted engagements with Treasury were ongoing with a view for a 100% salary increment effective April 1, 2023, while talks with local councils would see prosecutors allocated housing stands.

Sector-specific allowances were also being tabled for adoption.