Zimbabwe teachers petition govt over 'farm-like' wages

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has formally petitioned the government over the ongoing issue of erratic salary payments, particularly highlighting delays in the payment of the local currency component of teachers' salaries for November 2024.

In a letter dated November 21, 2024, PTUZ Secretary General Raymond Majongwe raised concerns over what the union described as unprofessional and unacceptable salary payment procedures. The letter was addressed to Labour and Public Service Minister July Moyo, with a copy sent to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.

For the first time since independence, Treasury has reportedly reached a new low, according to PTUZ, with salary payments for November having been delayed significantly. Many teachers have still not received their local currency (ZWG) salaries, even though the pay day has long passed.

"The whole process is shoddy, unprofessional, and unacceptable," Majongwe said, adding that some teachers have not had their ZWG salary components credited to their bank accounts since November 19, 2024. Teachers who bank with institutions such as POSB and AFC are reportedly the most affected.

The situation has not been exclusive to the education sector, with reports also indicating that security sector workers have faced similar delays in receiving their ZWG salaries. The delays have created significant tension and uncertainty among workers, further straining already stressed relationships between the government and its employees.

"We surely expect better from the government, especially during this time of the year when hardworking teachers are expecting bonuses and timeous payments, yet are left with shocking surprises of erratic salary payments," Majongwe wrote in his petition, calling for swift intervention by the authorities.

PTUZ also raised concerns about the issue of the US$80 teaching allowance, which was supposed to be indexed to the US dollar but is no longer properly reflected in the teachers' salaries, adding to the frustration felt by educators across the country.

This latest development comes after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently announced a cut in foreign trips funding across government departments, citing financial constraints as the reason behind the measures. Sources within the banking sector, speaking on condition of anonymity, have confirmed that local currency shortages have persisted for some time, making it difficult to meet salary payment schedules.

"Until recently, we used to cover up for the government by paying up the ZWG component to our clients, but now, we haven't been receiving our disbursed funds on time, and we can no longer do that," one source revealed.

As the issue continues to unfold, PTUZ is calling for the immediate resolution of the payment delays, urging the government to respect established best practices and provide timely, consistent salary payments to all public sector employees, particularly in light of the upcoming holiday season.