KEY POINTS
- Teachers demand a salary increase to at least $1,200.
- ARTUZ criticizes government focus on harassing union leaders.
- Ongoing challenges are affecting teachers’ welfare and education quality.
Teachers in Zimbabwe are reiterating their demand for a salary increment to at least $1,200 per month, citing rising economic pressures and inadequate compensation that currently sits below the food poverty line. They argue that their current wage of $350 is insufficient to meet basic living standards in a worsening economic climate.
Teachers call for fair wages
In a statement marking World Teachers Day, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) urged the government to increase salaries to meet basic living requirements and allow for savings. The union highlighted the discrepancy between their current wages and the food poverty line, which stands at over $500.
“ARTUZ calls upon the employer to review salaries and pay a fair wage that enables teachers to cater for basics and have savings. A minimum of $1,200 is all that teachers are demanding,” the statement read.
World Teachers Day was commemorated under the theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.” ARTUZ, known for its vocal advocacy, emphasized the need for better compensation as a way to acknowledge the essential role teachers play in society.
Government criticized for mistreatment
ARTUZ also criticized the government for focusing more on cracking down on union leaders rather than addressing teachers’ welfare. The union accused authorities of targeting its members through abductions, harassment, and intimidation.
Following an incident, authorities reportedly dragged ARTUZ’s Secretary-General, Robson Chere, off a plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, tortured him, and then detained him at Harare Central Police Station.
“The state is urged to stop the relentless attack on ARTUZ and focus on protecting the freedom of association of ARTUZ teachers,” the union said.
According to New Zimbabwe, the union further condemned the ongoing attacks on its members, detailing a series of office raids, abductions, suspensions, and incarcerations aimed at silencing ARTUZ’s leadership.
The union’s president, Obert Masaraure, has also faced multiple incidents of government action against him in the past, demonstrating what ARTUZ calls a systematic campaign against its activities.
Ongoing struggle for teachers’ rights
ARTUZ maintains that teachers deserve fair treatment and a salary that meets their needs. They called on the government to end the harassment and ensure a conducive working environment for educators, who continue to face challenges despite their dedication to their profession.
The union also highlighted that the government’s approach to handling teachers’ welfare is not sustainable. They argued that improving the salary structure is crucial for creating a stable educational system in the country.
Without adequate compensation, the union warned, teachers’ morale would continue to decline, impacting the quality of education provided to students.
