By Kudakwashe Vhenge
Over 5 000 rural teachers have unanimously resolved to desist from reporting for duty until their salaries are increased at the prevailing interbank rate.
This development was revealed by Amalgamated Rural Teacher’s Union of Zimbabwe newly elected national spokesperson, Nation Mudzitirwa in a memo which circulated today (Monday).
Mudzitirwa cited incapacitation as the major cause and highlighted the need to have teachers’ remunerations pegged at a US$ interbank rate as they have refused the government’s paltry increase of their salaries.
According to ARTUZ the current teacher’s wages is equivalent to US$30 and not enough to cater for their basic needs.
“The teachers are severely incapacitated since they are earning an equivalent of US $ 35 per month. The proposed increment by the government falls way below the legitimate expectations of the hard-working teachers. Teachers are demanding a United States dollar interbank rate indexed salaries,” read the memo.
The 97% offer by the government comes at a time when government services have been hiked by over 500% and some services charged in foreign currency.
A notable example is that of emergency passport fee which has been hiked to US$318 from RTGS$ 318.
Mudzitirwa also lamented the high cost of living which has devastating effects on the livelihood of those within the teaching profession.
“An ordinary teacher salary cannot fend for food, shelter, transport, education and health care. Teachers cannot afford transport to go back to work. Our members stationed at far flung schools like Gokwe but domiciled in Manicaland for example cannot make it back to work under these circumstances. Such a member would fork out RTGS$ 700 for transport alone,”said Mudzitirwa.
With schools opening tomorrow ARTUZ has advised parents to keep their children at home as there will be no teachers at schools.
Speaking to this reporter, ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure reiterated that the government should prioritize the salary issue in order to make sure that children are not deprived of their constitutional right to education.
“Government should urgently resolve the salary crisis to save our education. Our simple demand for interbank rate indexed salaries is modest,” he said.
ARTUZ convened its inaugural National Congress from 8 to 10 January 2020 in Mkoba, Gweru and the congress resolved that ‘slave’ wages being earned by civil servants in a hyperinflationary environment is not sustainable therefore teachers will not be reporting for duty until salaries are reviewed.
