A local teachers’ union is planning a twelve-day total labour withdrawal beginning November 15 to protest poor pay and working conditions.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) is coordinating the protest that runs under the theme “The 12 Voices for Education Campaign.”
An Artuz national executive council (NEC) held on November 7 and 8 resolved to call teachers to withdraw labour for 12 days to pressure the government to increase their salaries.
“The 12 voices for Education campaign seeks to draw support and foster collaborations with all critical stakeholders outside the membership of the teaching profession and aims at getting everyone on board with citizens being at the forefront of the campaign,” the Artuz said in a statement.
“The campaign aims at bringing focus and creating collaborations while decisively registering complete displeasure at the employers’ lack of concern and compassion towards teacher welfare and the future of the country.”
Teachers are demanding US$450.salaries or the equivalent in local currency.
“The only way forward is total withdrawal of labour with clear support from all elements of society who believe in restoring the status and glory of education in Zimbabwe that has been suffering a protracted assault by the employer who is the government of the day,” the Artuz added.
“The campaign will run for 12 consecutive days commencing on 15 November 2021 to 26 November 2021 hence the twelve voices for education theme which seeks to highlight the importance of the concept and involvement of everyone.”
In April, teachers were also on strike demanding better wages despite threats by the government to dock or withhold their pay under a “no-work-no pay principle.”
In 2020 Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Professor Paul Mavima announced that by January 2021 government would have produced a roadmap towards restoration of pre October 2018 salaries for teachers.
