GOVT AWARDS CIVIL SERVANTS HARDSHIP ALLOWANCES

Itezhi Tezhi, September 15, 2011, ZANIS -- Government has re-classified Itezhi Tezhi district and has awarded all civil servants in the district the long awaited rural hardship and remote allowances.

And The Itezhi Tezhi District Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Chairperson Chrissy Ng’andu has commended government for re-classifying Itezhi Tezhi district into category ‘D’ for rural hardship allowance.

ZANIS reports Itezhi Tezhi District Commissioner Mary Mukwiza disclosing in an interview with ZANIS, today, during a meeting for all heads of government departments and Union leaders at her office this morning.

She disclosed that her office is in receipt of Cabinet circular No. B7 OF 2011 signed by Public Service Management Division (PSMD) Permanent Secretary Gorge Kawatu.

She said according to the circular which was sent from Southern Province Provincial administration, government has re-classified the district following a verification exercise undertaken by the government and Public service Union officials for the purposes of payment of rural hardship and remote allowances.

“…..It has been decided to re-classify Zambezi, Isoka, Chinsali and Itezhi Tezhi Districts from category ‘C’ as specified in 2010 Public Service Management Division circular on Review of salaries and conditions of service for employees in the civil service to category ‘D’, “ she said.

The  re-classification of the district is with effect from 1^st September, 2011 and shall be implemented on government payroll in September, 2011.

And Mr.  Ng’andu has also thanked ZCTU, Zambia Union of Nurses (ZUNO) and other Unions national leadership for having worked tirelessly for the achievement.

The Union leader made the commendation in an interview with ZANIS after the meeting at Itezhi Tezhi District administration.

“Under the D category workers serving within the township will be entitled to 20 percent while those in the outskirts would be entitled to 25 percent remote hardship allowance, “Mr. Ng’andu said.

He said the news had excited workers in Zambezi district as it would provide for all the civil servants to qualify for the rural hardship allowance of 20 percent of their basic salary.

ZANIS