THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has said its aggrieved members are planning to go on strike this week on Wednesday citing incapacitation.
In a statement released on Monday, ARTUZ said teachers want their salaries to be paid fully in the United States dollars.
“We remain clear and firm on downing tools on the 1st of march. Teachers have been too generous with their labour and it is time that we get what we deserve.
“Worse is the fact that what a teacher earns is not sufficient to match the basket of needs and standard cost of living which are estimated to be close to US $1 000 going up for a family of four and our salaries have been eroded by inflation.
“Hence, we demand a 100% US dollar component of salary and an upward review amounting to US $1260,” ARTUZ said.
Teachers are also frustrated by the widening salary gap between educators and other civil servants like nurses.
According to ARTUZ, teachers are taking home as little as RTGS100k and nurses are getting six times more than that.
“Nurses now earn in excess of RTGS600k whilst some latest payslips of teachers reflect figures below RTGS100k.
“Of particular note a teacher is taken to court for failing to look after family in a move where the victim is being punished for not earning enough,” ARTUZ added.
Every term teachers have been staging strikes over long standing grievances concerning low salaries and poor working conditions.
