GIPF workers protest about salaries

EMPLOYEES of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) on Friday staged a demonstration over non-payment of salary increases.

The workers, who waved placards and chanted slogans at the entrance of the GIPF premises, alleged that management had reneged on a pay deal agreed with staff in the fund’s 2005/06 budget. They handed a petition to a representative of the GIPF management in the presence of the Police, who kept a close eye on events.”We, as the workers’ union, submitted our proposals to management for the budget and an agreement was signed.But now they are saying the money was exhausted during a salary realignment exercise,” a spokesman for the workers said.He said according to GIPF management, the pay realignment had been done to achieve a more equitable salary structure at the fund.One of the placards carried by the employees read: ‘Management – 20%, Employees 0%’, while another said: ‘Let’s share fuel money, transport allowance, all benefits, study loans and salary increase together’.GIPF Communications Manager Elvis Nashilongo said he had not yet seen a copy of the workers’ petition.- NampaThey handed a petition to a representative of the GIPF management in the presence of the Police, who kept a close eye on events.”We, as the workers’ union, submitted our proposals to management for the budget and an agreement was signed.But now they are saying the money was exhausted during a salary realignment exercise,” a spokesman for the workers said.He said according to GIPF management, the pay realignment had been done to achieve a more equitable salary structure at the fund.One of the placards carried by the employees read: ‘Management – 20%, Employees 0%’, while another said: ‘Let’s share fuel money, transport allowance, all benefits, study loans and salary increase together’.GIPF Communications Manager Elvis Nashilongo said he had not yet seen a copy of the workers’ petition.- Nampa