Rural school teachers in Insiza district, Matabeleland South province, have called for a strike over the government’s failure to address their concerns.
The teachers, who are under the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), held a meeting on July 7 where they agreed to go on job action.
Minutes of the meeting obtained by Southern Eye read:
As a district, we call upon the national executive of Artuz to urgently call for a job action, demanding a living wage… Members were also encouraged to discuss challenges we are facing with other teachers so that we open their eyes to the realities, then we mobilise them for the fight for a living wage.
ARTUZ president, Obert Masaraure confirmed the meeting held in Insiza and said that the union is now going to other districts and if they also call for a strike, then it will be organised.
Teachers are demanding a minimum monthly salary of $4 000. However, the government on Tuesday offered to award civil servants a $97 salary increment.