Teachers under the Progressive Teachers’ Union (PTUZ)have made it clear that they want to be paid a COVID-19 risk allowance when schools eventually open, Newsday reports.
This was revealed in PTUZ submissions dated 26 April seen by the publication which reads in part:
The government should pay a meaningful risk allowance to teachers since they are frontline workers in the fight against the disease since it is a non-contestable fact that teachers interact with thousands of children from a diversity of backgrounds per day,” PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe wrote.
We want to state without any equivocation that our members are not prepared to take the risk of teaching classes with more than 20 learners for nothing as the consequences are dire. As a union, it would be an abdication of responsibility if we sacrifice the lives of our members at the altar of national expediency.
It is still not clear when schools will open as the COVID-19 pandemic still pose a great risk and President Mnangagwa is expected to announce a way forward when the lockdown ends on Sunday.
More: Newsday