The MDC is aware and sympathetic to the plight of civil servants. It remains a concern that Zanu PF continues to hold back on those national resources that should benefit the generality of Zimbabweans.

The MDC knows that if certain actions are taken, funds will be available to give civil servants a living wage. Our philosophy for a living wage is anchored on our background with its strong bias towards the poor. Our party was formed on two pillars: the trade union movement and the constitutional movement. It is thus wrong to assume that the Finance and Public Service ministries are refusing to increase salaries in the public sector.

It is unfortunate that Zanu PF has taken the issue as a political tool to further their unfounded claims. That party cannot today claim to care for the welfare of civil servants when they are the ones who run down and bastardised the efforts of these dedicated men and women – some of whom they have turned into political stooges.

The MDC believes that it is possible to raise the funds if diamond revenues are remitted to treasury; if 75 000 ghost workers are removed immediately from the government payroll; earnings from millions of dollars in police coffers earned through fines; a drastic cut-back of the run-away government foreign travel expenses; and revenue from all mining concessions which are yet to be deposited in the government account.

It is imperative that the government gives competitive wages to its employees commensurate with the cost of living in order, not only to retain the workforce, but as a way to motivate maximum work returns from them.

It is the MDC’s desire to see a motivated government workforce to ensure public interest is upheld. The party values a professional security sector that protects every citizen regardless of affiliation, religion, creed or belief; a teaching personnel, professional in approach and proud to teach future leaders; a government workforce ready to implement government work programmes with pride and dignity.

The people’s struggle for real change: Let’s finish it!!