PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou
The teachers’ unions are set for an industrial action after dismissing
a salary increment offered by government. The employer has been given
a seven day ultimatum by the workers unions to resolve the demands of
the workers before a strike ensues.
The government’ s joint negotiating council proposed a salary scale of
a 24% increment for the civil servants.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou
accused the all inclusive government of arrogance when dealing with
remuneration packages for workers saying it does not prioritise such
sectors as the education but it gives much attention to sharing power.
“Government has shown that civil servants are enemies rather than
employees,” Zhou charged, “This calls for civil servants to say enough
is enough this far and no further.”
The workers also rejected a $32 housing allowance and $24 transport
allowance increment saying the allowances do not add up to the $500
poverty datum line (PDL).
Last year teachers failed to sustain a strike after union leaders
carried a nationwide campaign urging their members to engage in a
crippling industrial action. Teachers could not resist incentives
offered by parents at schools. Teacher unions’ leaders are opposing
the payment of incentives saying a full package should come from
government.
Teachers have remained divided over the issue as those serving
underprivileged communities especially in most rural areas cannot
benefit from such an arrangement.
“Teachers must realise that the so called incentives that keep them at
schools are nothing but its like salivating at a poisoned carrot,”
Zhou told Zimbabwe Community Radio, “ They don’t go a long way in
terms of contributing to the pensions of teachers and we are creating
a gulf between us and the parents who are also poor.”
Education, arts, sport and culture minister David Coltart last year
revealed that teachers’ incentives will not be scrapped off as they
complement government remuneration.
insight into zim 