The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has rejected the government’s offer of a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). A statement released by the rural teachers’ union reads in part:
We note with disgust the flawed deal signed between the government and the illegitimate and highly compromised APEX council.
The deal offers a meagre US$ 26 salary increment to the current US$ 120. In total, an average teacher will be earning the US $146 in April 2019. This falls far short of US $1 150 needed to sustain a family of 5 monthly.
ARTUZ reiterates that the government should simply honour our 2012 agreement and pay our current salaries in USD or equivalent. We reject the deal and we have no option but to take to the streets and withdraw our labour in due course.