STATE university workers yesterday stormed Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa’s offices demanding their outstanding salaries and bonuses, as government struggles to pay its workers.
by Everson Mushava
An 18-member group, representing all State universities, besieged Chinamasa’s offices at New Government Complex in Harare demanding payment of their 2015 bonuses and outstanding salaries for the past year.
The 9 000-strong university staffers are reportedly owed half salaries for August last year and May and June this year.
The disgruntled workers failed to have audience with Chinamasa, as he was said to be out of the country and were later addressed by an unidentified official from the ministry.
University of Zimbabwe Workers’ Union chairman, Tafirenyika Mapfumo told NewsDay that the group had decided to confront Chinamasa after government failed to honour its promises.
“We have been here since last Wednesday. We wanted to see the minister. We have tried to engage through the Higher Education ministry permanent secretary (Machivenyika Mapuranga), so he can liaise with the Finance ministry permanent secretary (Willard Manungo), but nothing came out. We now want to see the minister himself,” Mapfumo said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Government was due to pay university staffers their May salaries on June 13 and 2015 bonuses on June 10.
Manungo could not be reached for comment, as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Meanwhile, government pensioners have also not yet received their dues since Tuesday.
