News / National
Zimbabwe teachers demand urgent salary review, threaten strike
4 hrs ago | Views
Zimbabwean teachers have renewed their salary demands, citing unbearable working conditions and government inaction on their grievances.
Teachers' unions have repeatedly written to the government requesting an urgent salary review but claim their concerns have been ignored.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe has formally requested a meeting with Labour Minister Edgar Moyo, highlighting that the last salary review discussions took place in 2024.
"We are almost done with the first quarter of 2025 without the government showing any signs of convening a meeting for a salary review," Majongwe said in his letter.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) also expressed frustration over poor wages.
"As a union, we are worried about the continued payment of salaries which are very paltry, which at Artuz we term 'dog taxes'," said Artuz secretary-general Robson Chere.
He warned that if the government continued to ignore their concerns, teachers would resort to demonstrations and strike action to push for fair remuneration.
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) also backs the call for an urgent meeting. Zimta secretary-general Godwill Taderera emphasized that teachers should be earning at least US$1,000 per month, up from their previous demand of US$840.
"In 2018, teachers were earning US$540, and through research, we have established that we now deserve over US$1,000," said Taderera.
Zimta is pushing for incremental salary adjustments until teachers reach their target income.
With growing discontent in the education sector, teachers warn of possible industrial action if the government fails to address their demands urgently.
Teachers' unions have repeatedly written to the government requesting an urgent salary review but claim their concerns have been ignored.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe has formally requested a meeting with Labour Minister Edgar Moyo, highlighting that the last salary review discussions took place in 2024.
"We are almost done with the first quarter of 2025 without the government showing any signs of convening a meeting for a salary review," Majongwe said in his letter.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) also expressed frustration over poor wages.
He warned that if the government continued to ignore their concerns, teachers would resort to demonstrations and strike action to push for fair remuneration.
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) also backs the call for an urgent meeting. Zimta secretary-general Godwill Taderera emphasized that teachers should be earning at least US$1,000 per month, up from their previous demand of US$840.
"In 2018, teachers were earning US$540, and through research, we have established that we now deserve over US$1,000," said Taderera.
Zimta is pushing for incremental salary adjustments until teachers reach their target income.
With growing discontent in the education sector, teachers warn of possible industrial action if the government fails to address their demands urgently.
Source - newsday
