Teachers union demands salary raises to avoid strike
By Tererai Karimakwenda
03 December, 2007

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has notified the government that teachers will not return to work when the next term begins in January, unless they are awarded salaries and other benefits that total a minimum of Z$318 for the first term. PTUZ secretary general Raymond Majongwe said the teachers met at their annual Congress recently and resolved that this time they will not budge, and failure by government to meet this bare minimum will lead to a strike.

Majongwe explained that the Z$318 million includes a basic salary of Z$150 million, a transport allowance of Z$88 million and Z$80 million for housing allowance. Asked whether any offer below this would avert a strike, Majongwe said: “If the government is interested in saving the institution of education then Z$318 million is the bare minimum that is acceptable.”

Experienced teachers are currently earning about Z$17 million per month, with new graduates earning Z$14 million or less. Majongwe said: “This time around we are not changing and we are not budging because ultimately if we don’t defend out profession we are as good as killing the country.”
The outspoken PTUZ leader said teachers are leaving in large numbers and going to South Africa where the government initiated a recruitment drive after experiencing a serious shortage of teaching staff. Majongwe complained that a serious shortage of teachers exists in Zimbabwe because of this. He said the government is now inviting back teachers who were fired for various criminal behaviour. “It is a sad scenario that they are bringing misfits and miscreants”, said Majongwe.

Majongwe also warned that a head to head confrontation with teachers is inevitable, if their demands are not met. He explained that they would rather avoid such an outcome, but teachers can no longer support their families in a country with the highest inflation in the world.