Staff Writer
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has called for a united action to press government to award teachers a salary review.
In an interview with The Blast, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said teachers are worried over government’s delay in reviewing their salaries.
“We are worried about delays in reviewing salaries of teachers in particular and civil servants in general,”said Zhou.
“Impeccable sources claim that the government has been waiting for a meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to review salaries.Sadly, we cannot reduce salary review to capitalist greed.We have made it clear that there is an urgent need to review salaries of civil servants and guarantee meaningful pensions for serving and retired civil servants.
“Consultations are at an advanced stage on the best way forward should government continue to prevaricate over critical issues affecting civil servants.What is emerging from our consultations is the need for a united front of all civil servants in order to knock sense to the arrogant employer and government,”said Zhou.
Zhou said while the ministry of Labour has acknowledged receipt of their letter requesting for a meeting on salary review, government is taking long to address this issue.
“The ministry acknowledged our correspondence, but there is a difference in acknowledging and acting upon the issues raised in the communique.Teachers are angry and apprehensive and the sooner the employer addresses their grievances in particular that of civil servants in general, the better.
“We refuse to continue wallowing in poverty in a country with abundant natural resources that can guarantee a better livelihood for all Zimbabweans if tapped and harnessed properly,”he said.
PTUZ position differs with that of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) which has called for an outright industrial action on 28 March.