The Zimbabwe Teachers Union (ZIMTA) has declared that its members will report for duty only three days a week starting on the 6th of this month following a deadlock with the state over salaries.
Government workers, represented by the Apex Council, were demanding that their 2018 salaries, which were in United States dollars, be restored.
This is happening when schools have just reopened for the 2021 academic year.
We present ZIMTA’s statement below.
SUBJECT: REPORT AND WAY FORWARD ON NJNC MEETING OUTCOME OF 1 APRIL 2021
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Apex Council has rejected the offer made by Government at a meeting held today the 1st of April 2021. This was a virtual meeting.
2. MEETING OUTCOME
2.1. In what could pass for an April fools’ joke, the employer brought in the following offer in straight jacket fashion.
Grade New Salary Restoration at Inter Bank Rate- 84.40 Deficit to USD $540 B1 16,798.00 199.03 (340.97) D1 22,451.00 266.01 (273.99) D3 22,777.00 269.87 (270.13) E2 25,525.00 302.43 (237.57) E3 25,900.00 306.87 (233.13) E5 33,799.00 400.46 (139.54)
CIVIL SERVANT SALARY ADJUSTMENT WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 2021 Grade New Salary Restoration at Inter Bank Rate- 84.40 Deficit to USD $540 B: 1 20,578.00 243.82 (296.18) D1 28,666.00 339.64 (200.36) D3 28,709.00 340.15 (199.85) E2 32,446.00 384.43 (155.57) E3 32,955.00 390.46 (149.54) E5 43,699.00 517.76 (22.24) 2.2. This has been rejected by Apex Council and negotiations are now on the verge of collapsing to an irretrievable breakdown.
2.3. Having given the employer a conditional and interim opening of schools and fifteen (15) days to address teacher incapacitation, we now rescind our promise to be in class beyond Easter holidays.
2.4. Thus, beginning the 6″ of April 2021, our members will have a shorter working week to a maximum of three (3) days per week, i.e. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.
3. CONCLUSION
3.1. Members are therefore appropriately advised and guided to join the struggle towards equitable and fair treatment in remuneration. The declaration will be reviewed by National Executive when circumstances change and necessitate review.
Yours in service
