The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has vehemently opposed the government’s recent decision to increase the retirement age for civil servants and members of the uniformed forces, denouncing it as an “absurd” policy designed to exploit workers.
In a strongly worded statement, ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure announced a nationwide protest scheduled for January 14, 2025, to actively resist this policy change.
Statutory Instrument (SI) 197 of 2024 mandates a retirement age increase for civil servants from 65 to 70 years, effective January 1, 2025. The legislation also permits early retirement at 60 years with a mandatory three-month notice period.
For police officers, the pensionable service period has been extended from 20 to 30 years. The retirement age for soldiers has been adjusted to 55 years, with an extension to 65 years specifically for war veterans.
Masaraure sharply criticized this policy, asserting that it blatantly disregards the well-being of workers.
“The government looted pension funds and now they want to force us to work to the grave. We won’t accept that,” he said.
The retirement age increase is part of a broader wave of policies that ARTUZ describes as “anti-poor” and harmful to the majority of Zimbabweans.
Masaraure painted a grim picture of 2024, highlighting severe drought-induced school dropouts, underfunded education, and underpaid civil servants struggling to survive on paltry salaries.
“Civil servants are earning a meager USD 300, with over 90% taking home less than USD 200 after deductions. Meanwhile, the ruling elites are accumulating wealth,” Masaraure said.
He also condemned the government’s misplaced priorities, pointing to luxury vehicle purchases for traditional leaders while schools lack basic resources.
ARTUZ’s protest is part of a broader 2025 agenda to demand better governance.
The union is calling on citizens to reject Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s “anti-poor budget,” resist President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s alleged plans to extend his presidency beyond 2028, and protect national resources from looting.
“The propaganda machinery of the state has already been defeated by social media. Now, it’s time to resist the naked oppression and exploitation,” Masaraure declared.
