ADVERTISEMENT

Zimbabwe's President says seeking steps to speed up public employees' pay

Monthly salaries for army soldiers, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers and other public employees have been delayed for weeks over the past few months.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe says seeking steps to speed up public employees' pay

Zimbabwe's government is working on measures to avoid delays in salary payments to soldiers, police officers and other public employees, President Robert Mugabe said on Monday.

The southern African country has struggled to pay public workers on time as it struggles with its worst financial squeeze since it dumped its hyperinflation-hit currency in 2009 and adopted the United States dollar.

This led to strikes in July that closed businesses, government offices, schools and hospitals - the most significant popular defiance of the long-ruling, 92-year-old Mugabe in a decade.

"Measures to avoid delays in the payment of salaries for civil servants are being developed," Mugabe said in his annual National Heroes Day speech honouring guerrillas who died in Zimbabwe's 1970s war of independence. He gave no details.

ADVERTISEMENT

Continued salary delays could stoke political tensions in Zimbabwe, which has been plagued by drought, a drop in mineral prices and chronic cash shortages - all factors behind unrest against Mugabe, the only leader independent Zimbabwe has known.

At the height of the protests, war veterans turned on their long-time patron Mugabe, describing him as a dictator in a jolting rebuke underlining mounting anger over economic woes.

Mugabe dismissed a call from veterans for his resignation, saying he was in power by popular vote and accusing critics of plotting his ouster in league with longtime critics in the West.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT