Zimbabwe teachers threaten a national strike, want to be paid in US$

Zimbabwe teachers have threatened a national strike if the Mnangagwa leg government shoots down their demand to be paid in United States dollars.

In February this year, unions suspended a national strike but warned that they could walk out from their jobs again if the government did not meet their demands.

The Obert Masaraure led Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) and the Takavafira Zhou led Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe gave notice to the government that they wish to down chalks in 14 days if the government fails to open fresh wage talks.

In a letter addressed to the director of Civil Service Commission on Friday, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) is demanding that its member be paid in US dollars. It is also demanding that the government review the rural allowance, which currently stands at RTGS$13.

Failure by the government to meet their demands would see teachers going back on strike, the unions said.

Teachers went on strike on February 5 after negotiations between the government and public-sector workers broke down, heightening political tension after last month's violent protests that were met by a security crackdown.