Workers told The Zimbabwean that they were not happy with the state of affairs within the local authority. Sources within the workers’ committee said that while they were happy with a salary increase, they would not tolerate a situation where management increases its salary unilaterally. “This is the beginning of another labour dispute,” said a member of the workers’ committee who refused to be named for fear of victimisation. “It appears our managers did not learn from their previous mistakes.” Masvingo mayor Alderman Femias Chakabuda could neither confirm nor deny that senior council managers had hiked their salaries by 22 percent, although an official within the Masvingo city council this week confirmed the development.
“Yes we got a 22 percent salary hike but this is for last year and not for this year,” said the official.
Masvingo city council is currently embroiled in a labour dispute with its entire workforce over outstanding salaries now amounting to over $4 million.