The move follows earlier statements by Biti that there was no room in the budget for pay rises.
It is believed the latest increase, that started reflecting in government workers bank accounts on Tuesday, was raised from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation. A top government source said the raise was bankrolled by revenue from diamond sales.
The lowest-paid government worker, previously on $128 pay, got $253 on Tuesday.
It is believed the latest increase is raised from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and a government source said the increase was bankrolled by diamond money.
Biti said he did not know where the money for the increases came from. The government wage bill takes up 60 percent of total revenue, which means the increases would account for more than the entire government budget.
Zanu (PF) attempts to portray Biti as the bad guy appear to have bolstered support from government workers, who don't want to get caught up in the politics and simply want a living wage for their families.
Teacher Tinashe Moyo said he was happy with the money.
“It’s surprising that Biti says there is no money in the Treasury and yet the president has given us the money. What is going on here?" he said.
Nurse Memory Kurasha said: "Honestly, I don’t care where the money is coming from, as long as I get it," she said. "I don’t think Biti is doing the MDC any good by withholding money from struggling workers. Of course we understand government has no money, but surely he has to find it."
Political commentator Ronald Shumba said it was “blatant vote buying” by Mugabe.
“He is a sly despot and he has clearly beat the MDC hands down on this one. This could be a game changer for most civil servants. To most government workers, Biti is now the bad guy."
Post published in: News