Teachers' Strike "Inevitable" Despite 100% Salary Hike

Unions representing teachers have warned of a looming strike after the government refused to restore their pre-October 2018 salaries of $540. 

Speaking to NewsDay in separate interviews, union leaders said the 100% salary adjustment awarded in July has been rendered meaningless by inflation currently at 191%. Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Tapedza Zhou said:

Teachers received a strange salary yesterday equivalent to US$48, using the parallel rate. Shockingly, this was after a 100% increment.

The increase is a high-sounding nothing and has no effect on the strike beginning after Friday.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) deputy secretary, Munyaradzi Masiyiwa said:

100% of zero will remain nothing. In June when teachers got $19 000, the market rate was US$1:$450 … This incident has just triggered anger among teachers.

Civil servants would meet on Friday to consider a way forward. However, a job action is inevitable.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said:

Teachers are also worried about the government’s failure to implement the long agreed non-monetary incentives — such as assistance in paying their children’s school fees — let alone unilateral salary deductions and salary discrepancies between teachers and members of the armed forces.

Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) president Robert Chiduku said his union would “stand in solidarity with teachers”.

A fortnight ago, civil servants gave notice of industrial action if the government failed to meet their demands. The notice expires this Friday.

More: NewsDay