The Government had promised to pay all its workers, including teachers, nurses and police officers, basic salaries of about Z$3.3bn for the lowest paid professional. Several disgruntled civil servants who spoke to The Zimbabwean this week revealed, however, that they were only paid their old salaries, averaging Z$400m, and had been promised the windfall later.
But, when the remainder was paid on March 25 and 26, the civil servants were shocked to discover that only half of the promised amount had been deposited into their bank accounts.
“This is betrayal by the government and we are not happy. That is why most professionals are leaving this country in their droves for foreign lands,” said one teacher.
Junior police officers also showed our reporter their bank statements, which showed that they had received about two thirds of the promised amount.
In a country with the world’s highest inflation, at more than 100,000 per cent, the new salaries will be worthless if they are not reviewed again at the end of the month.
In protest at their poor working conditions and meagre salaries, many Zimbabwean professionals are leaving the country to seek better opportunities in neighbouring countries like Botswana and South Africa.
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Post published in: News