The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has challenged the government to audit the civil service and remove “ghost workers” to enable it to channel more funds towards salaries for its employees.
ZCTU president George Nkiwane said ghost workers had become a stumbling block for civil servants who want a meaningful salary increase from the government.
“We have taken a clear position as ZCTU that we are calling for the immediate audit of civil servants so that this issue of ghost workers is finally addressed,” he said.
“We are aware that there are about 70 000 ghost workers that are included in the budget set for civil servants and their recognition and removal would be a big step towards ending the government and civil servants’ salary dispute.”
Nkiwane said the salaries that were being paid ghost workers were an unnecessary drain on the fiscus.
But Public Service minister Lucia Matibenga yesterday said government had completed a civil service payroll and skills audit although the results could not be publicised now.
