….ARTUZ President, Robert Masaraure
Staff Writer
THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has recently send a petition to the Government through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube, accusing him for failing to fulfil the mandates and constitutional obligations of cushioning the salaries of civil servants and other welfare issues.
ARTUZ president Mr Obert Masaraure submitted the petition last week in the presence of media practitioners issuing an ultimatum over unmet government promises.
He said, failure to address their grievances will result in protests and in civil servants embarking in an industrial action.
“We, the teachers of Zimbabwe, petition you not only as teachers, but as parents, community leaders and struggling citizens. If the teacher’s living standards are not improved, schools won’t be fully opened in May. How can teachers go to school on an empty stomach coupled by high transport costs and cost of living? The whole burden will be shifted to parents who will be forced to pay extra lessons and other unwarranted fees yet they are equally affected,” he said
Mr Masaraure even reminded Minister Mthuli that during budget debate on December 15, 2025, he promised a salary review in the first quarter of 2026 which was never the case.
He mentioned some of the grievances, including the salary crisis, fuel tax hikes and lack of transparency on payslips among other issues.
Teachers are demanding a minimum wage of US$1 260, arguing that their current salaries do not meet their needs and wants hence they are living below the poverty datum line.
Meanwhile, civil servants and pensioners are set to benefit from a salary increment starting next month under a new remuneration framework, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Mayo, recently announced.
He said, the adjustment will be with effect from 1 April, following a comprehensive job evaluation exercise by the Government aimed at aligning payment with roles and responsibilities.
He however, did not reveal on figures but commended the constructive engagement between Government and workers’ representatives, describing it as mature and responsible.
“The Government of Zimbabwe reaffirms its unwavering commitment to improving the welfare and conditions of service for public servants and pensioners,” Minister Moyo said, noting that the reforms are part of the broader National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, which seek to build a responsive and motivated public service as a key driver of socio-economic transformation. Agri-business consulting
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said Government remained committed to improving the welfare of civil servants, with deliberate measures in place to ensure salaries remain above the poverty datum line.
“Our thrust is to protect the purchasing power of civil servants and ensure that their earnings are not eroded by inflationary pressures. We are also focused on maintaining salaries above the poverty datum line as part of broader efforts to improve livelihoods,” he said.