Gweru council delays, dollar plans spark worker concerns

Runodada Witness

Zim Now Reporter

Gweru City Council has announced a delayed payment schedule for December salaries, sparking mixed reactions among its workforce. The council confirmed that December salaries, delayed until March, will be disbursed in phases, starting with smaller banks and concluding with FBC Bank. "We didn't agree to that, but for progress, we will stick to that so that people will be given their money," a workers’ committee member told ZimNow, highlighting the compromise made to ensure payment.

 The announcement followed a meeting on February 24, where the council also confirmed that the December Cost of Living Adjustment  had been settled in early January with a $100 disbursement. Further, the January and February COLAs, totaling $150 ($75 per month), are also slated for payment in March.

 Adding to the complexity, the council proposed a shift to a single service provider, paid exclusively in USD. This proposal, while aimed at streamlining operations, has raised concerns among workers. The workers committee member's quote, "We didn't agree to that, but for progress, we will stick to that so that people will be given their money," underscores the difficult position workers find themselves in. While the workers did not fully agree with the arrangements, they have decided to proceed to ensure salaries are paid.