TREASURY RELEASES K200M FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ARREARS

By KALOBWE BWALYA  and  IRVIN MUYUMBWA GOVERNMENT has started dismantling arrears for the public service workers with the Treasury releasing K200 million to be disbursed this month,  National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia president (NUPPEZ  has said. And speaking at the same briefing, Public Service Management Division Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali said  funds allocated by the Treasury to pay arrears are K20.5 million to Ministry of General Education, K15.9 Million to Ministry of Health, K15.8 Million to Ministry of Defense and K8.8 Million among others. Mr Chimbwali has also cautioned resident doctors as essential workers that the law prescribes that  anyone who does not report for work should not be paid and therefore, should blame themselves for consequences to follow. And speaking on behalf of the unions at a joint press briefing  yesterday, National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia president (NUPPEZ)  Victor Muyumba said  this follows active engagement with government on improved salaries and conditions of service for 2021. He said the government has committed itself to dismantle the accumulated personnel emoluments related arrears for public service workers over the next six months. Mr Muyumba said the dismantling will start with an initial disbursement of K200 million this month across the entire public service. He said eligible employees will be paid on first come first serve basis and the payments will cover those who are serving, retired and deceased. And Mr Muyumba said the public service unions are concerned on the stand-off between government and the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia on matters that were seemingly resolved. Mr Muyumba has since called on both parties to resolve their differences amicably following proper procedures.