The Chronicle
17 October 2009
Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe schools examination Council workers have called off a week-long strike after hammering out a deal with the parent Ministry for the least paid employees’ salary to be increased from US US$115 to US$ 270.
A Zimsec source close to the goings-on disclosed that the workers started receiving their adjusted salaries yesterday following the agreement on Thursday.
“Following the intervention of the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, the management at Zimsec has agreed to pay the lowest paid worker US $ 270. The workers were very happy in their resolve to end the strike and they are going to receive their money today (yesterday)” said the source.
Confirming the latest development, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture deputy Minister Lazarus Dokora yesterday said the strike had ended following a meeting between Zimsec management and workers’ representatives on Thursday.
However, he could not disclose the terms of the agreement, referring all questions to Zimsec director Mr Happy Ndanga.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Mr Ndanga declined to disclose details, arguing that the media had been distorting facts about developments of the organisation.
Said Deputy Minister Dokora : “I can assure you that all is now well within the examination body. Examination preparations have resumed. The discussions we had produced a win-win situation between management and the workers.”
He praised management and employees for reaching a compromise, considering that grade 7 examinations were set to begin on the 27th October.
“I am delighted by the decision to call to strike. It is in the best interests of the nation considering that national examinations are around the corner,” he said.
The workers went on strike last week demanding that the lowest paid employee’s salary be raised from US $115 to US$400.
They were also unhappy with reports that management had resolved to buy top-of-the-range vehicles at the expense of the workers.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart, however, said luxury vehicles were not a priority, pointing out that the Government would only acquire modestly priced cars for practical use as the institution was in dire need of vehicles.