Farai Jere wants councillors paid a basic monthly salary plus allowances
Murehwa West legislator Farai Jere has called on the government to put in place measures that will ensure councillors are paid a basic monthly salary plus allowances.
Currently, councillors in Zimbabwe are only given an allowance, despite the huge burden of development work that lies on their sholders.
Speaking during debate of his motion in the on conditions of service to improve the plight of councillors, Jere said the current conditions for councillors does not meet international standards.
‘’Councillors compensation should align to international best practices on local governance and government remuneration aimed at facilitating good governance. This outlines that local elected officials should received salaries.
‘’What has been approved Madam Speaker, is an allowance. We are proposing that these councillors should be entitled to a basic salary plus those allowances as part of the presentation. Allowances should cover expenses incurred during official duties, enable professional development account for constituency sizes.
‘’Remuneration packages should be regularly reviewed by independent bodies to match evolving roles and maintain public confidence. The current situation on the ground has been overtaken by events, where councillors were earning something like 115 which was equivalent to US$9 per sitting at the current official rate of exchange,’’ he said.
Vision 2030 is hinged to councillors
Honourable Jere added that for Zimbabwe to achieve President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, compensation for councillors should be aligned with international standards.
He said, ‘’There is need for a Statutory Instrument to mandate appropriate compensation parameters linked to responsibilities and constituency sizes. This would enhance compliance with international standards.
‘’It is my proposal that national legislation outlines basic salary, allowances and a performance-based bonus framework for our councillors. It is very sad to let this House know that the welfare of the councillors as we speak now, it is the responsibilities of the Hon. Members. They are funding their operations as they are regarded as the foot soldiers of our constituencies.
‘’Even during our campaign, it was broken down into three pieces where they were saying the head was the President and the stomach was representing the Hon. Member of Parliament and the councillors were referred to as the foot soldiers of the constituencies.
‘’The proposed remuneration will aim to cover basic expenses, opportunity costs and productive cost incurred by councillors in fulfilling their demanding official duty across potential vast wards.
‘’In summary, the proposed remuneration will empower oversight accountability, representation, monitoring and planning by councillors as envisaged under the Constitution and required for successful devolution. Remuneration should match councillors time, commitments and living costs. I so submit Madam Speaker Ma’am,’’ he said.
Farai Jere wants councillors paid a basic monthly salary plus allowances
