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Hon. Lucia Matibenga, the Minister of Public Service is only a facilitator not a negotiator in the current discussion for the civil servants salaries and Zanu PF is using some rogue trade unionists to scuttle the on-going process.

Responding to reports from the media and some trade union representatives that she was not willing to engage them in the negotiations, Hon. Matibenga said the whole issue of the civil servants salaries and improved working conditions had been turned political by Zanu PF and some of trade unionists who had no interests in the civil servants but were only using the strike issue for personal gain.

“I am a former trade unionist who was a shrewd negotiator but I have since changed hats and I am now a facilitator.  As a former trade unionist, I understand the plight and grievances of the workers and I feel I should be fighting from their corner.  I can recite their problems in my dreams.  But since I am now a Cabinet minister, I am facilitating that the workers’ representatives have access to the relevant authorities and this I have done.  But unfortunately I can’t negotiate for the workers,” she said.

She said the government employees had approached her and she honestly advised them to contact her after making the necessary consultations despite false claims from some quarters that she was avoiding the workers.

“The arena for the negotiations is the National Joint Negotiating Council,” said Hon. Matibenga adding that the relationship of the civil servants was between them and the Public Service Commission, which is the employer.

Read more: Minister Matibenga speaks on civil servants salaries