A steep upward review in premiums by service providers and unexplained deductions by the Government have pushed civil servants deeper into poverty.
Last week, some teachers’ bank accounts were credited with as little as ZW$3 000 against a monthly family food basket of six pegged at about ZW$110 000.
A snap survey by the Zimbabwe Independent revealed that some funeral service providers increased premiums to about ZW$11 000.
Unions representing teachers accuse the Government of unilaterally deducting part of teachers’ salaries for taking part in a strike last term.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou told the Zimbabwe Independent that the union was gathering evidence of such deductions for court action. Zhou said:
<blockquote>
I think it is mandatory that the government, through the parent ministry, tells us the criteria they are using to deduct the money. Why do they have to rob a poor man?
The deductions are illegal, callous and a monument to unfair labour practice.
Natural justice dictates that the principle of hearing the other side is fundamental before a decision is taken against anyone.
Therefore, if the employer, in its wisdom or lack of it, thought it had a case against the employees, due process was supposed to have been done, which is an investigation, preference of charges, inviting each employee for a hearing, carrying out the hearing then determination with reasons for the decision.
</blockquote>
An official from the Salary Services Bureau (SSB) told the publication that some teachers are now taking home less after one of the country’s leading funeral service providers increased premiums. Said the official:
<blockquote>
One of the leading funeral service providers increased premiums so much that some members had in excess of ZW$11 000 deducted.
My wife, who is a teacher, had a net salary of ZW$3 676,86 after the funeral service provider deducted ZW$11 160.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwean teachers earn gross monthly salaries ranging between ZW$20 000 (US$53) and ZW$30 000 (US$80).
Their South African counterparts earn an average of R24 000 (US$1 468) a month while teachers in Namibia earn about 12 900 NAD (US$866).
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2022/07/01/deductions-leave-teachers-in-penury/">The Independent</a></h4>

Pindula News

Deductions Push Teachers Deeper Into Poverty

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has urged teachers’ unions to desist from embarking on industrial action to force the Government to address their grievances.
Unions representing teachers are reportedly planning a full-blown strike in protest over deductions of huge amounts from the salaries of educators who went on strike in February.
Thousands of teachers refused to report for duty when schools opened for the first term on 7 February citing incapacitation.
Teachers are pushing for the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salary of US$540. They are currently earning US$175 plus around RTGS$28 000.
Primary and Secondary Education communications and advocacy director Taungana Ndoro told NewsDay that a strike by teachers will further disrupt learning in schools following disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus. Ndoro said:
<blockquote>
We can’t afford to have another disruption from a job action after all those disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The issues should be resolved amicably.
The ministry does not encourage strikes to resolve the teachers’ concerns. The education system should thrive and it only thrives when children are learning in schools.
The teachers have their representatives who can sit down with the government and talk about their grievances.
There is a need for collaborative efforts to ensure that learners recover all the learning time lost during lockdowns.
</blockquote>
In 2021, the Government announced that it was adopting the no-work no-pay policy after teachers went on strike.
This means that the Government will make deductions from the salaries of teachers who fail to report for duty without justification.
Public Service Commission (PSC) Permanent Secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe confirmed the deductions effected this month.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said that the PSC deducted between $11 000 and $17 000 from teachers.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said that the PSC deducted up to $20 000 from the teachers’ salaries.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/full-blown-teachers-strike-looms/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Another Teachers' Strike Will Disrupt Education System - Ndoro

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has threatened a full-blown strike by teachers after the Government deducted salaries from teachers.
According to various teachers’ unions, the Public Service Commission (PSC) deducted between $11 000 and $17 000 from teachers’ salaries.
ARTUZ also claimed that the Government hiked salaries for soldiers at a time it was deducting the earnings of teachers who failed to report for duty in February due to financial incapacitation. <a href="https://twitter.com/ARTUZ_teachers/status/1527169245230075906">ARTUZ said</a>:
<blockquote>
[The Government] increased salaries for soldiers but deducted salaries from [teachers]. This provocation will force teachers to go on strike.
The threats and implementation of no work no pay will not stop a full-blown strike. We have waited for a solution but this Government doesn’t care.
</blockquote>
On Monday, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said other Government employees (presumably soldiers), had been paid $80 000 each while teachers’ salaries were deducted. <a href="https://twitter.com/ProgressiveOf/status/1526290601943121925?s=20&amp;t=gHWQH_JdqaUNOXQQrJO5Qw">PTUZ said</a>:
<blockquote>
Teachers have just been deflated by salaries ranging from RTGS$5k-19k four days after other government employees got circa $80k.
The discrimination is resident evil type… Clearly, education matters very little.
</blockquote>
PSC Permanent Secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe confirmed the deductions. He said:
<blockquote>
It is true that Government is serious about the no work no pay principle because it is the only one that is fair to those who show up at work.
There’s no justice and there is no logic in treating the civil servant who reports for duty the same way you treat the one who does not show up.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Govt Raises Soldiers' Salaries, Teacher Unions Claim

Senior officers and commanders of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have been ordered to stop demanding unsanctioned salary deductions from members of the force. The ZRP will also carry out an audit to establish the prejudice caused by these illegal salary deductions. Some police officers are reported to have lost at least $30 per month after the various deductions. Even worse, the payments were expected in cash. Some of the unsanctioned deductions include:
<ul>
<li>US$1 per month for the funeral fund</li>
<li>US$5 per month for the recreational fund</li>
<li>US$10 per month for the for Kuyedza Club which was overseen by Isabel Chihuri, wife of former police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri.</li>
</ul>
An internal memo quoted by the weekly publication, The Zimbabwe Independent reads:
<blockquote>It has been observed by this headquarters that some commanders continue to effect some unsanctioned deductions from members, which are not provided for by the Police Standing Orders. For ease of reference, deductions sanctioned include ZRP Association, The Outpost etc. Unsanctioned deductions include funeral funds, developmental funds, fuel funds etc.
Kuyedza Club membership is voluntary in terms of paragraph 29.5 and 29.6 of the Police Standing Orders. It should be borne in mind that the meagre salaries of members cannot be used to sustain government obligations. Director finance will soon be directed to carry out audits at all provincial district and station levels. Disciplinary action will be taken against errant commanders. All sanctioned deductions should be effected through SSB after the necessary procedures are followed.</blockquote>
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/01/18/massive-clear-zrp-34-commissioners-given-two-days-leave-force/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The ZRP is undergoing a massive restructuring process after at least 30 commissioners were fired and given 48 hours to leave the police force.</a></h4>
More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2018/01/19/financial-mess-rocks-zim-police/">The Independent</a>

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