- Teachers strike looms
- Teachers vow to conduct lectures in community halls
- claim incapacitation
TEACHERS have upped their demand for salaries in tandem with skyrocketing inflation ahead of the scheduled opening of first term on Tuesday vowing not be at their work stations due to incapacitation.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (Artuz) secretary-general, Robson Chere, told Zim Morning Post that teachers were not going to report for duty on January 14 when schools re-reopen.
He said teachers would, on that day, be delivering lessons at community halls around the country.
“We are incapacitated although we would want to go back to work. Artuz members will conduct public lectures at community halls,” Chere said.
He added that teachers’ demands could be met if the government was serious.
“What we are only asking for is our salaries to be pegged in United States dollar-denominated rates,” Chere said.
“An ordinary teachers’ salary is not able to buy food requirements that last for a month, let alone for pay for rates and transport,” he lamented.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said they had made it clear they would not report for duty as they were incapacitated.
“We have made it clear that our members are incapacitated so reporting for duty might be difficult, come Tuesday,” Majongwe said.
Majongwe challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to consider teachers’ concerns.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God. This is what the President said and we are saying he should listen to teachers,” Majongwe added.
In a statement to those negotiating on behalf of civil servants, Majongwe said they should do so in ernerst.
“Those negotiating on behalf of workers are failing to do collective bargaining but are instead engaged in collective begging,” Majongwe said.
Teachers implored government employer to restore their purchasing power parity by paying inter-bank related salaries as a matter of urgency.
“We are ready to shape, define and defend the dignity and luster of our profession,” said Ptuz president Takavafira Zhou.
“We urge all free riders to join unions of their choice so that they are part of the solution and not part of our problems. Teachers can certainly not continue to stand on the touchline to watch a game they should be playing. This is no time for petty differences and divisions at stations and in unions. It’s time for unity of purpose across the union divide. Our collective efforts will see us through and there would be room for all of us at the rendezvous of victory,” he added.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu told Zim Morning Post that there was uncertainty with regards to re-opening of schools.
“There is uncertainty when it comes to schools opening tomorrow (Tuesday) as most educators have communicated that they do not have resources to go to their respective bases. Those who are travelling might have had other means since their December salaries have been eroded by inflation,” Ndlovu said.
