Teachers’ representatives has described the government as a bullying and heartless employer and vowed that their members would not be forced to teach despite the threats to withhold their benefits.
The Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Cain Mathema yesterday told the state media that government was enhancing the no-work, no-pay principle for teachers who have not been reporting for duty since the beginning of this year’s term.
He said they are summoning the principle with immediate effect.
”We are summoning the principle of no-work, no-salary with immediate effect. Teachers who do not report for duty or those who go to their schools and not do their work will not be paid. We have requested schools heads to compile lists of such names and will forward them to Public Service Commission so that those not doing their work will not be paid.” Said Mathema.
Meanwhile, teachers unions said they are unfazed by the governments threats and would continue with their strike demanding salaries between US$520 and US$550 or the equivalent in local currency.
Progressive Teachers Union Of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Mr Raymond Majongwe told 263times that the government is a ”bully”.
”The government should not bully its employees . Threats and Bullying should not be used as a bargaining tactic. Government should resort to dialogue with the concerned parties if it wants to save the education sector.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President (ATUZ) Obert Masaraure posted on the union’s twitter handle that teachers are waiting for the day they will be capacitated.
”Incapacitated teachers will never be coerced to attend for duty, teachers are waiting for the day they will be capacitated.” He said.
