The Zimbabwean government has introduced a new policy extending the retirement age for civil servants and uniformed personnel from 65 to 70 years. The move aims to retain experienced workers and strengthen the public sector.
The policy, formalized under Statutory Instrument 197 of 2024, titled Public Service (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 3), officially took effect on December 30, 2024.
Under the new guidelines, civil servants appointed before the policy’s enactment have the option to retire at 65 or continue working until 70 while maintaining full pension benefits. However, for those appointed after the policy came into effect, the retirement age is now set at 70 by default.
The government believes this change will enable skilled public servants to continue contributing their expertise, particularly in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and administration.
Despite the intended benefits, the policy’s rollout has encountered hurdles, especially within the education sector. Some teachers expecting to work until 70 were prematurely retired and forced to vacate their government-provided housing.
School headmasters justified the removals, citing the lack of an official directive confirming the retirement extension.
Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Moses Mhike, acknowledged the confusion caused by delays in communication from the Public Service Commission (PSC). He assured the public that the PSC has now issued the necessary circular and that efforts are underway to resolve the issue.
Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi explained that the decision to raise the retirement age was influenced by Zimbabwe’s increasing life expectancy, with many citizens now living into their 80s.
He emphasized that the policy reflects changing demographic trends and is designed to prevent the premature loss of valuable experience in the public sector.
The initial missteps, including the early retirement of teachers and delays in implementation, have sparked criticism among affected civil servants. However, the government has assured stakeholders that these challenges are being addressed to ensure a smooth transition moving forward.
SOURCE: iharare.com
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