Teachers threaten job action over ‘insulting’ pay ...

Teachers threaten job action over ‘insulting’ pay rise

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

The Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Unions has threatened job action in government fails to meet their demands.

This comes as teachers scoffed at the US$20 salary review by their employer.

FOZEU said the increment is an insult to teachers who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“FOZEU rejects the rigged Casino theatrics being played by government against Civil Servants. The government deducted around US$30 from teachers in January and now offers a US$20 increment.

“Teachers are suffocating due to rising Cost of Living but the employer seems not to care. Employer is playing Russian Roulette with the lives of our teachers. The multiple revenue streams created by the new tax regime are not feeding into Civil Servants’ salaries but just sponsoring luxuries for the bosses,” FOZEU president, Tafadzwa Munodawafa said.

FOZEU also criticised some unions for accepting the offer, accusing them of selling out.

The union also said that the National Joint Negotiating Council is illegal and is calling for inclusive collective bargaining. FOZEU is planning a job action to protest the low wages.

“The Federation maintains its position that the National Joint Negotiating Council, NJNC is an illegal entity which fails to meet the constitutional test of s 65(5). We demand inclusive collective bargaining. The High Court continues to withhold a ruling on the illegality of the NJNC, frustrating progress towards enjoying right to collective bargaining,” he said.

“The Federation is rounding off consultations on the nature of Job action to embark on in response to underpayment and will pronounce a way forward that is a genuine reflection of the position of teachers in the classrooms across the country,” the union added.