Rural teachers' union threatens strike over bonuses

A rural teachers' union has threatened strike action in a fortnight over government's failure to pay the 2016 bonuses. Amalgamated Rural Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) secretary-general, Robson Chere said the union has notified their employer, the Civil Service Commission (PSC), about the impending job action.

The government last week offered housing stands in lieu of outstanding bonuses, citing financial challenges, but the proposal was rejected by the Apex Council, a body representing civil servants.

Neanwhile, the Dailynews reports tha State universities have been forced to cut salaries by half after Treasury drastically reduced funding for grant-aided institutions in the 2017 National Budget. Last week the National University of Science and Technology denied such allegations. Dailynews claims that, "According to Education ministry, government slashed allocations on salaries for grant-aided institutions from $221 601 000 to $125 178 000."

More to follow....