Zimbabwe’s government has been forced to pay its workers’ outstanding 2016 bonuses in cash.

A meeting between the unions representing civil servants and government has ended with an agreement to stagger the payouts.

Some unions are describing it as a big win for workers.

The finance ministry will pay health care workers and the defence forces next month in April.

Zimbabwe Republic Police and prison workers will get theirs in May.

Teachers will be paid in June and the rest of the civil service in August.