The latest figures from the Zimbabwean government’s own agencies show that the cost of living in Zimbabwe now requires at least $114 000. It is a fact that is very much up in the minds of Zimbabweans including civil servants who have been struggling to put food on the table. They have been tussling with the government on and off for months demanding a salary review. The government recently offered a 100% pay hike which sounds awesome until you learn that this would see the average civil servant getting about $36 000 ZWL way below that line. Civil servants are having none of this and have given the government notice that they will be going on strike in 14 days unless they get another review.

Below is the notice from various unions representing civil servants from various sectors:

RE: Notice of Industrial Action in Respect of COLA
The Public Service Association (PSA), the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Unions (FOZEU), the Federation of Educators Unions of Zimbabwe (FEUZ) and Nurses Federation of Zimbabwe (NFoZ) hereby give notice of a services-wide industrial action within 14 days of the date of this notice.
Be advised that the industrial action hereby notified is in respect of a long-overdue cost of living adjustment that speak to the food basket that now stands at ZWL114 000 against the latest adjustment to ZWL 36 000 for the lowest-paid worker.
We, the undersigned federations hereby advise accordingly.
Presidents
FEUZ
FOZEU
PSA
NOFZ