The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) and the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) have both commended the government for awarding civil servants a 41 per cent salary hike following protracted negotiations.
In a statement on Monday night, ZIMTA national secretary-general Tapson Nganunu Sibanda said they expected teachers who live at or near their schools, or at least in the same town or city, to be back in their classrooms this week.
Sibanda said teachers who have a long way to travel to their respective schools are expected to report as soon as they had received November salaries.
He added that teachers should contact their schools and tell them when they will be reporting for duty and why there might be a delay.
Sibanda assured ZIMTA members that the association remained committed to working for better salaries and allowances.
He, however, warned the Ministry of Education against victimising teachers who have been incapacitated since schools reopened in late September. Said Sibanda:
ZIMTA remains actively engaged in the search of improved conditions of service, salaries and allowances and is now putting together 2021 strategies, taking into cognisance 2020 setbacks.
Meanwhile, ZINA secretary-general Enock Dongo, said though his association accepted the increment awarded by the Government, the offer was not enough to meet nurses’ needs. He said:
It is a welcome development by Government and we really appreciate the increment they have offered. It is, however, not yet enough to cater for the cost of living. We expect more. But like I said, this is a positive step and we really appreciate it.