Zimbabwean teachers are advocating for a minimum monthly salary of US$1,260 to ensure they can meet their essential needs and save for the future. This demand was made during the recent observance of World Teachers Day by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), which emphasized the need for fair and safe labor practices within the education sector.
In a statement, ARTUZ highlighted the pressing need for the government to offer a reasonable wage that enables educators to cover their basic expenses while also allowing for savings. The union remarked:
“The employer must review salaries to ensure that teachers receive a fair wage that allows them to provide for their basic needs and save for the future. We are asking for a minimum of US$1,260.”
Furthermore, ARTUZ urged the government to stop harassing and victimizing teachers who choose to participate in collective actions for better working conditions. The union asserted:
“Every employee has the right to engage in collective job actions, including strikes and other forms of protest. However, there may be legal restrictions to maintain essential services. We believe that the Public Service Act should be revised to protect the right to strike, and administrators in education should safeguard job actions.”
The union criticized the current culture of persecuting teachers for their involvement in such actions, stating that it contradicts the spirit of the national Constitution.
In related news, Public Service and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo announced in interviews with state media that the government plans to increase the wages of public sector workers and provide bonuses this year. He stated that the proposed salary adjustments would prioritize those in lower-income brackets following discussions between government officials and representatives of the workforce.
