via Zim teachers demand $1 000 increase | News24 2014-01-06
Zimbabwean teachers are reportedly readying for a bitter confrontation with the cash-strapped government, as they demand salary hikes of up to $1 000.
According to the Daily News, teachers’ unions were threatening to go on a nationwide strike as soon as schools open next week Tuesday if government didn’t meet their demand.
Teachers in Zimbabwe earn a basic salary of between $300 and $480 per month, but the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe says a food basket for an average family of five now costs $540 a month.
A spokesperson for the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Takavafira Zhou, said teachers and civil servants were tired of unfulfilled promises by government.
A Newzimbabwe.com report said the ruling Zanu-PF party last year pledged to almost double civil service wages, but the adjustment was yet to be done, with little progress emerging from ongoing talks between the government and workers unions.
The government admitted facing a serious cash squeeze, with Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa lamenting the size of the state wage bill in his 2014 budget statement.
Zhou also called on President Robert Mugabe to own up to the promises he made ahead of last year’s elections.
COMMENTS
The nikuv erections long over. Empty electioneering promises. Anyway no money. Mugabeland treasury empty coffers
teachers pray yo current wages are mantained in 2014. under the circumstances you will be lucky to get paid every month. indications (e.g. removal of govt legal officers’ allowances) are that govt is struggling to pay as it is now, never mind after an increase
My fellow teachers let me tell you this and I’m telling you from experience ZIMTA, ZTU,PTUZ and others are wasting your time they are raising your hopes for nothing nothing is going to come out of the negotiations.If you get $20 increment you are lucky.This government has no respect for teachers.
Isu maNurses taikubatsirai panyaya dzakadai but u never appreciated us, hamusati.