The gap between teachers and government over salaries has escalated with teachers unions resolving to engage lawyers in order to challenge the no-work, no-pay policy enhanced by the government threatening teachers.
Teachers are demanding that the government must revert to the pre October 2018 salaries where teachers earned between USD$520 and USD$55O or their equivalent in local currency.
Government had affected a 25% salary hike this month making the highest paid teacher to earn $22 000 RTGS but the teachers representatives rejected the increment which they described as a mockery.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Unions Of Zimbabwe (ATUZ) posted on their twitter handle today, that threats from the government will not move them.Finally they admit that teachers are not teaching. Unfortunately government picks the wrong cure, threats will not move us! Teachers salaries should be restored to pre-October 2018 value.” The post reads.
Speaking During a post cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, the Minister of Information Broadcasting and Publicity, Senator Monica Mutsvagwa reported that, government acknowledged that no lessons were taking place in schools, but said it would enforce the no-work, no-pay policy.
In a statement, released by Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (Zinatu), the teachers unions resolved that teachers will continue reporting for duty for only two days per week until the government is able to addresses their concerns.
Teachers Unions expressed concerns over the behavior by Minister Cain Mathema.
”Members expressed concern over the behavior by Minister Cain Mathema, who is using discriminatory tactics and antics through unleashing wanton threats and a reign of terror on teachers as if teachers have turned into terrorist.” The press statement reads.
Progressive Teachers of Zimbabwe , President Takavafira Zhou urged the state to threatening the teachers but however engage them in dialogue for a mutual agreement on the salary stand -off.
”In the current impasse between government and teachers, over poor wages, social dialogue has been absent,” Zhou said.
He added that, the policy of no-work, no- pay will not work in Zimbabwe.
”We have seen a quantum leap of threats directed to teachers and school heads and even weird proclamations that government will now employ the principle of no-work, no- pay. Such a principle is noble where workers are earning a living wage and not in Zimbabwe.” He said.
