ARTUZ leaders to spend second night in detention over poor salary protest
Sixteen Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) members arrested yesterday have been charged with participating in a gathering with intention to promote public violence, bigotry and breaches of peace as defined in Section 37(1)(a) of Criminal Code.
The ARTUZ leaders and members who include Obert Masaraure, who heads the teachers union and are detained at Harare Central Police Station.
The unionists were arrested outside the offices of the National Social Security Authority, the state-run pension fund.
The ARTUZ leaders and members, who are represented by Idirashe Chikomba, Trust Maanda and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, are expected to appear in court on Friday.
The teachers’ union has been demanding an immediate return to the October 2019 salary scales which saw the least paid civil servant earning around US$500, up from the current US$160 equivalent.
Authorities maintain they cannot meet the aforementioned salary demands of civil servants as they stretch beyond their resource limits.
In a recent update, the Public Service Commission’s secretary, Jonathan Wutawunashe said increments will be effected as the economy improves.
Elsewhere, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima told State Media on Sunday that the Government will table an improved offer to civil servants at Wednesday’s meeting.
“We have our own position, but obviously I cannot disclose it to the press before we meet with the employees,” Mavima said.
“Whatever the outcome, we shall go back to Cabinet where the issue will be discussed. As the employer, we have the best interests of the civil servants at heart….We have always said that we are committed to their welfare as well as meeting their request for salaries to match the money they used to earn in US dollars,” Mavima said.
Meanwhile the meeting between civil servants and Government did not take place on Wednesday due to connectivity challenges.
“There were connectivity problems so we failed to communicate smoothly. Given the importance of the meeting and the required levels of interaction, workers have requested for a physical meeting on Friday,” Alexander said.
ARTUZ leaders to spend second night in detention over poor salary protest
