PROGRESSIVE Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) say their members will not be able to attend third term of 2019 if they do not receive a salary increment amid the country’s rising inflation.
In a statement on Wednesday PTUZ Secretary General Raymond Majongwe demanded that salaries be tied to the foreign currency interbank rate.
“We write to advise Government that our members will not be able to report for duty come term 3 of 2019, if teachers’ salaries are not reasonably adjusted to meet their expectations,” Majongwe said.
Majongwe said teachers were failing to acquire basic goods and services due to below bread basket salaries.
“Teachers are failing to access of basic needs that make them functional. Prices of basic goods and services have rocketed beyond the reach of the ordinary teacher,” he said.
He added that teachers are struggling to provide food for their families as well as sending their children to school.
“Our members are struggling to put food on their tables. Unbearable transport cost has even accentuated the teacher’s plight. Teachers are failing to send their own kids to schools they are teaching,” he added.
PTUZ appealed for the government to adjust teachers’ salaries.
“Our humble and honest request to Government is simply an adjustment of teachers’ salaries to the interbank rate that is currently sitting at 8.7,” Majongwe said.
