HARARE — Norton legislator Richard Tsvangrayi has criticised the government for failing to match civil servants’ salaries to the rising cost of living, saying workers are struggling to afford necessities.

Speaking during yesterday’s parliamentary session, the legislator said the prices of essential goods had continued to rise while salaries of civil servants remained largely stagnant.

He questioned the responsible deputy finance minister, Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, on what measures the government was taking to ensure that civil servants’ earnings were aligned with the cost of living.

According to the Tsvangrayi, the minister’s response was disappointing, particularly because a similar commitment had been made in March.

“In March, I posed the same question to the minister, and he promised that the government was working to increase the salaries of civil servants by the end of April,” he said.

He noted that September had now arrived without what he described as a meaningful salary adjustment, with the government instead referring to the forthcoming national budget.

“People cannot eat promises,” the legislator said, stressing that civil servants had families to support, children to send to school and basic household expenses to meet.

He argued that salary levels should reflect the realities workers face as the cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets.

Turning to the broader economy, the Norton legislator questioned whether reported economic growth was translating into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

“As a father, you cannot celebrate making millions while your children are going to school in torn uniforms and sleeping on empty stomachs,” he said.

He argued that economic growth ought to benefit the broader population rather than just a small segment of society.

“My position has always been clear: economic growth must be felt by everyone, not just by a few wealthy individuals with privileges and access to the President of this country,” he said.

The comments have reignited the ongoing discussion about civil servants’ wages, the rising cost of living, and whether economic growth is leading to better household incomes.