Teachers’ unions have accused the Government of double standards after it awarded soldiers a 37% pay increase at a time it is silent about reviewing civil servants’ salaries.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Security and War Veterans Affairs’ correspondence, soldiers received a salary increment effective 1 April.
The circular also shows that soldiers’ allowances would be reviewed according to grades. It stated that the review was necessitated by inflationary pressures. The circular reads in part:
Be advised that the following deliberations have been made between Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), Defence Forces Service Commission (FSC), Ministry of Defence (MOD) and war veterans and Treasury, the DFSC has approved part of the implementation of the military concept and related allowance for colonels and below.
In 2020, the Government drew the ire of doctors, teachers and nurses after it awarded security services personnel a pay hike whilst ignoring other government employees.
Responding to requests for their comments from The Standard, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and army spokesperson Alphios Makotore demanded questions in writing. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri:
You may have to send your questions in writing. Security and defence matters cannot be discussed over the phone.
Meanwhile, teachers’ unions have expressed their unhappiness over the move alleging unfair treatment from the Government.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said:
The government is very aware that the military plays a key role to preserve power and we don’t care about who is in power.
What we need is food on the table and that can be done by improving the welfare of the teachers.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said the Government views teachers as unworthy of its consideration or respect.