Teachers scoff at US$20 salary increment

Audrey Galawu

The Progressive Teacher’s Union has scoffed at government’s US$20 salary increment citing that the increase amounts to nothing.

This comes as teachers’ unions had demanded that government immediately address the teachers’ salaries issue by reviewing the United States Dollar component.

PTUZ said the increment is an insult to teachers and that government is not taking them seriously.

“The government’s offer of a US$20 increment would be laughable if it were not tragic. The employer continues to thumb the nose at employees. Sad. A classic case of subtraction by addition, given that the Treasury will still deduct taxes on that figure,” PTUZ said.

The unions were also complaining over the poor working conditions, which includes lack of resources, citing the need for an urgent engagement between unions and government.

The current increment offer means the US$300 moves to US$320 effected March 2024.

The cost of living adjustment for the ZWL inflation tracked salary component was increased by 49.6% from the current US$80 inflation tracked ZWL to US$11973, meaning it was increased by US$39,73 for D1 grade.

This teaching allowance is applicable to D1 through E5 teaching grades.

In a feedback circular dated March 14, Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association says the association refuses to accept the offer by government.

“The meeting was hastily convened and there was no room to discuss positions. It closed out a deep analysis of the economic experiences by workers.

“As a result of the lack of accommodation of workers' views and the paltry awards, the workers team refused to accept the offer but allowed the employer to pay the unagreed figures.

“Further work still needs to be done through a planned consultative workshop on the salary dilemma for the civil servants,” ZIMTA said.

Teachers and other civil servants have been involved in a protracted salary battle with the government ever since the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe scrapped the 1:1 regime back in 2019.

Civil servants are demanding that their salaries be restored to their USD equivalent prior to the introduction of the Zimbabwean dollar.

Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Rural Teacher’s Union has accused the Ape Council of colluding with the government stating that they were not happy with their approach to negotiations.

The union has also hinted on a strike demanding better working conditions and fair treatment.

“Cecilia Alexander and her cabal of imposters have made themselves life negotiators on behalf of civil servants. They always bring back rotten deals. The nonsense stops now.

“Government is advised that we are not accepting a US$20 increment and a mass action will be announced,” Artuz said.