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Karume to subsidize sugar, rice prices
2007-05-02 10:01:56
By Mwinyi Sadallah, Zanzibar
Zanzibar President Abeid Karume yesterday announced plans to subsidize sky-rocketing prices of sugar and rice, so that the wananchi can buy the items at affordable prices.
He also made public a commitment to raise civil servants` salaries in the coming financial year 2007/08.
Karume made the announcement at the climax of May Day celebrations, which were held at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The government, he said, was currently reviewing minimum wages and salary-scales for experts, before raising monthly pay for all categories of public servants.
``I am pleased to announce that minimum wage will be increased as from the next financial year,`` President Karume said, amid applause.
The idea behind the proposed salary increment, according to the President, is to improve people`s living standards.
Besides monthly pay rise for public servants, the government is reviewing pension allowances to make them match with the current economic situation, he said.
``We are also revisiting employment policies to match with amendments made on the labour laws and create a conducive working environment,`` he said.
He pledged his commitment to strengthening capacity of the informal sector in terms of capital and other support-mechanism.
President Karume called for dedication in work places, advising workers to cultivate the culture of upgrading their professions.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Labour and Youth Development, Women and Children Affairs, Asha Abdallah Juma, said the government planned to establish vocational training colleges in order to reduce critical youth unemployment.
The move, according to the minister, is part of the implementation of the Isles` poverty reduction strategy.
For his part, the Deputy Secretary General of the Congress of Trade Unions in Zanzibar, Makame Launi, asked the government to conduct an in-depth investigation on the money paid to ghost workers.
``Payments to ghost workers affect people`s welfare...we want the government to act and conduct thorough investigations and discipline those responsible,`` Launi said.
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