20100205
presstv

Zimbabwe's government faces a serious challenge after state employees went on strike Friday, demanding a five-fold increase in their monthly pay of $122 to $206.

The workers are asking for an increase in their salaries to an average of $630 a month.

"The people are agitated. They have lost their patience," said the head of the union of office workers, Cecilia Alexander. "We have no choice. Our members have declared that they are not going to report for work. They will only return to work when the government offers them something serious."

The two-week ultimatum, which was given to President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, could create additional obstacles for the government as it struggles to stabilize the country's economy.

Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendai Biti said the government's civil service pay takes at least 60 percent of the country's revenue, and the current economic crisis makes it difficult to increase salaries.

The head of the Apex Council, which consists of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association and Public Service Association, said the unions rejected a $15 a month raise offered by the government.

"They simply restated an offer which we had rejected before, so we will advise them that this is the position taken by the workers," Tendai Chikowore told reporters.

The 150,000 member public service system faces total collapse as they await a response from the government.