While the government suspended COVID-19 allowances to the general populace last year it seems they will continue to dish out allowances to civil servants. Just like last year, those who are actively employed by the government will receive US$75 per month and those eligible for pensions will continue to receive US$30. Again just like last year this money will be sent to bank accounts and will not come as cash. Traditionally the only way to spend it has been a forced conversion to ZWL at the official rate.
The confirmation that civil servants will continue to receive their allowances came in the form of a letter from the Public Service Commission.
04 January 2022 …
IMPLIEMENTATION OF THE COVID-19 RISK ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND PENSIONERS WITH EFFECT FROM 01 JANUARY 2022
Reference is made to the attached Treasury Concurrrence dated 23 December 2021.
Treasury committed to pay the Covid-19 Risk Alloance in hard currency of US$75 and US$30 to Civil Servants and Pensioner respectively.
Please be advised that this payment should benefit from the banking arrangements used for processing of the 2021 Bonus payments.
You are requested to effect the above changes effective 01 January 2022
W. Mupandawana
Acting Secretary
Public Service Comssion
Part of the letter on the issue
To be honest civil servants need all the money they can get. They get the bulk of their salaries in ZWL (RTGS) which they often have to convert to USD at steep black market rates in order to do something useful like pay their rent or buy groceries. Also, will civil servants be paying their taxes in USD since they earn both USD and ZWL? Probably not as that allowance is exempt from taxes including even the 2% tax and sometimes even bank charges.
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