Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai today (Tuesday) held a fruitful consultative meeting with leaders of the civil servants negotiating team, the APEX Council.

The Apex Council is a grouping of all civil servants’ associations in the Zimbabwe.

The closed door meeting was held following a request from the Apex Council for President Tsvangirai to hear the civil servants’ concerns on their salaries and working conditions.

The Premier, who reiterated his position that diamond revenue will go a long way to alleviating the plight of the civil servants, told the union leaders that he would be going to Chiadzwa on Thursday to appreciate what is happening at the diamond mining center.

The Prime Minister told the APEX Council that he remains concerned about the plight of civil servants. He said he will meet the Cabinet task force dealing with issues affecting civil servants.There was consensus on a number of key principles such as transparency on diamond mining and sales, transforming the negotiating structure and on non-monetary benefits for civil servants.

The resuscitation and strengthening of the social contract and harmonization of labour laws were some of the principles where consensus was reached at the meeting.

After the meeting the civil servants representatives expressed the appreciation shown by President Tsvangirai in giving them an opportunity to meet and air their concerns. Last month, the Cabinet through the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Lucia Matibenga increased the allowances of civil servants on transport and accommodation.

Present at the meeting was the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Hon. Paurina Mpariwa, Apex Council chairperson, Tendai Chikowore, Raymond Majongwe from Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and several senior government officials.
 
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