Workers at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) have officially declared incapacitation, stating they are unable to meet basic necessities like shelter, transportation, food, and educational expenses due to inadequately low salaries. This grievance was formally expressed in an urgent letter addressed to the management, a copy of which was obtained by NewsDay.
The declaration from the workers comes as a significant portion of Zimra employees find themselves struggling to cope with the harsh economic realities of Zimbabwe’s economy, which is marked by inflationary pressures and a gradual shift towards dollarisation. The Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Trade Union (Zimratu), the representative body for the workers, highlighted the dire situation in the correspondence, underscoring the severe financial difficulties that have left many employees on the brink of destitution.
According to Zimratu president Dominic Manyangadze, the monthly salary of a typical Zimra employee is no longer sufficient to cover essential costs, making basic living conditions unattainable. “Our salaries have rapidly eroded to the point where even basic food items have become a luxury. The continuous dollarisation of the economy only exacerbates this issue, pushing many to the edge of financial ruin,” Manyangadze wrote.
The situation is particularly aggravated by the demand from landlords for rent payments in United States dollars, while the housing allowances provided by Zimra are a mere US$75, to be paid in the local currency at the current interbank rate. This discrepancy has led to significant housing insecurity among the workforce, compounding the stress and frustration felt by many.
Medical services, another critical aspect of everyday life, now also demand payment in US dollars, placing an additional burden on the workers amid rising healthcare costs. The union’s letter details how the cost of living has surged due to a combination of drought, fluctuating exchange rates, and ongoing inflation, significantly impacting prices for basic commodities, school fees, healthcare, and communication services.
Despite these adversities, Zimratu commends its members for their continued exemplary performance under increasingly challenging working and economic conditions. Nonetheless, the letter reveals that to cope with their eroded wages, all non-managerial staff are now reliant on borrowing and engaging in side hustles. This dependency on alternative income sources highlights the severity of their financial distress and underscores the unsustainable nature of their current earnings.
The workers’ plea for engagement over salary adjustments has reportedly been met with resistance from Zimra’s management, further straining relations and raising concerns about the potential for continued service delivery interruptions if the issue remains unaddressed.
As Zimra plays a crucial role in the nation’s revenue collection and economic framework, the incapacitation of its workers poses a significant risk to the operational effectiveness of this vital institution. It also reflects broader economic challenges facing the country, where many are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing economic landscape.
The labour group’s urgent call to action seeks not only immediate relief in the form of fair wage adjustments but also a sustainable approach to salary structuring that will prevent such crises in the future. The plight of Zimra workers is a stark reminder of the widespread impact of economic policies and conditions, affecting not just the public servants but potentially the efficiency of national revenue operations as well.
As the situation develops, the implications of this workforce crisis are likely to extend beyond the individuals directly affected, potentially influencing broader economic policies and the approach to public sector wages in Zimbabwe.
Source: Newsday
