13th cheque brings relief to workers

MOST civil servants were very happy when Government finally agreed to pay their 2016 bonus.

This 13th cheque came at the right time when most of these public servants were struggling to make ends meet.

The majority of these workers earn an average of $400 per month and this money cannot last even for two weeks when we take into consideration that the prices of all basics and services are going up every month so the payment of that bonus means that one can now clear his or her areas.

I met some Government employees who said they were now an insult in the eyes of many people and this was now making it very difficult even to find accommodation since most landlords were now reluctant to stay with them in their houses to avoid problems.

We hope that this year their bonus payments will be done in good time to avoid some unnecessary disruptions at most public offices. We all know that a hungry employee will not conduct himself or herself in a professional manner.

In most Government offices people or customers are made to stand in a very long and winding queue without being served for a long time.

ere are also some private companies who are busy making abnormal profits but these companies are not even paying their workers some living wages and I feel this is grossly unfair.

Their workers work for long periods but get shocking salaries which are not even enough to cover their bills as well as food for their families.

These companies should not forget that they are what they are today because their workers are working very hard and to take them for granted will not improve their lives.

I feel that the Government must put some laws where every company in the country will be forced to pay bonus or what is known as the 13th cheque because most workers are suffering. Eddious Masundire Shumba, Waterford, Bulawayo.