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The High Court has postponed a case in which five workers’ unions are suing their employer and President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa/">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> for blocking them out of salary negotiations.
Justice Lucy Mungwari postponed the hearing to another date after failing to log in to the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), a virtual case management system recently rolled by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Said Edson Matika representing the unions:
<blockquote>
The court faced technical challenges with the IECMS virtual system. This resulted in the case being postponed to Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 9 am on the same platform.
</blockquote>
The IECMS (Integrated Electronic Case Management System) was expected to bring about improvements such as electronic case filing, automatic case allocation to judges, electronic case tracking, and virtual hearings, aiming to streamline the judicial process from filing to finalisation. However, the system has faced significant resistance, with litigants and lawyers expressing concerns about delays in delivering justice.
In the current case, several unions, including the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Teachers_Association_(ZIMTA)/">Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA)</a>, the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe/">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a>, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe/">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe</a>, Educators Union of Zimbabwe (EUZ), and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), are suing the government, alleging violations of their labor rights.
The unions’ application challenges the Public Service Act, arguing that it undermines the labor rights protected by the constitution by granting unilateral decision-making power to the Public Service minister and the Commission. They are advocating for collective bargaining, which allows unions to negotiate employment terms, including pay, benefits, working hours, leave, and workplace safety policies.
The unions seek a court declaration that sections 19, 20, and 31 of the Act are unconstitutional as they facilitate the violation of their members’ labor rights. They argue that the Commission and the Public Service minister have failed to engage in meaningful consultations with public service employees, thus infringing on their labor rights.
The respondents in this case include the Public Service Commission (PSC), President Mnangagwa, Finance Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube/">Mthuli Ncube</a>, the Public Service minister, and the Attorney General.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Judge Postpones Salary Case Involving President Mnangagwa After Failing To Log Into The System

The state postponed the case involving Obert Masaraure, the leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) on Thursday citing ongoing investigations. The matter which was heard by Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi has been rescheduled for October 31.
Masaraure is represented by Doug Coltart.
Some Context:
Masaraure was arrested in June 2022, accused of being involved in the murder of his friend Roy Issa. The incident allegedly occurred in 2016 when Issa fell from the seventh floor of a Harare Hotel during a gathering with friends, including Masaraure. At the time, the police concluded that there was no foul play involved in Issa’s death.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) believes that these charges are fabricated to discredit Masaraure and stifle dissent against the current regime in Zimbabwe. They view the arrest as a tactic by the ruling regime to enforce their own self-serving rules. Masaraure was arrested while fulfilling his routine bail conditions for another charge at the Harare Central Police Station.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/15/zctu-demands-masaraures-immediate-and-unconditional-release/">denounced the arrest</a> viewing it as a deliberate attempt by the State to suppress Masaraure’s outspoken stance against human rights violations and his advocacy for improved working conditions for teachers. The union said Masaraure has faced multiple arrests on baseless grounds, including a harrowing incident in 2019 when he was abducted, tortured, and left for dead by masked and armed individuals. The ZCTU strongly condemned the arrest describing it as a “calculated arrest“, which aims to instil fear in trade unionists and the public. ZCTU demanded Masaraure’s immediate and unconditional release saying his arrest tarnished Zimbabwe’s reputation.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

ARTUZ Leader Masaraure In Court For Allegedly Involvement In Death Of His Friend

Workers have expressed dissatisfaction with the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/08/010/treasury-reviews-paye-and-personal-income-tax/">government’s recent review of the tax-free threshold</a>, which has been increased to $500,000 starting this month. They argue that there is nothing to celebrate because the majority of workers earn below that figure. The previous tax-free threshold was $91,666, with the highest marginal tax rate of 40% applicable to salaries of $15 million and above.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Japhet_Moyo/">Japhet Moyo</a>, the secretary-general of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Congress_of_Trade_Unions/">Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions</a>, criticised the government for ignoring the plight of the long-suffering workers. He stated that the new tax-free threshold fails to address the fundamental needs of workers and highlighted that anyone earning $500,000 is still below the poverty datum line. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
They have done absolutely nothing. The new tax-free threshold does nothing with regards to addressing the fundamental workers’ needs.
You cannot tax the poor. Anyone earning $500 000 with the prevailing market rate is earning below the poverty datum line.
</blockquote>
According to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, a family of six now requires $2.6 million per month to survive. Despite these rising costs, the average salary of the least-paid civil servants is $250,000, excluding US dollar allowances.
Various union representatives, including David Dzatsunga and Tecla Darangwe, expressed their disappointment with the review of tax brackets and called for an increase in salaries and a reduction in the tax-free threshold. They argued that the threshold should be indexed to the US dollar, considering its impact on the economy.
Obert Masaraure, the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, criticized the review for not meeting their demands for US dollar salaries. He also raised concerns about the potential devaluation of the local currency after the elections.
Recent statistics indicate that the economy is moving towards dollarisation, with a significant portion of transactions, particularly for food purchases, being conducted in foreign currency. However, the government remains committed to the Zimdollar, despite calls for its abandonment.
A report by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development emphasised the role of diaspora remittances in sustaining the economy, as many formal workers struggle to meet the poverty datum line.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Workers Dissatisfied With Government's Tax-Free Threshold Increase To $500,000

The government has offered a 400% pay hike for the soldiers and police much to the annoyance of teachers who were offered a 50% increase.
Teachers are currently the lowest-paid civil servants, earning around ZW$36 000 plus a US$120 foreign currency component.
Teachers rejected a 50 per cent increase in their local currency wages during the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting last week.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a>, leader of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> criticised the government for selectively applying standards. NewsDay quotes him as saying:
<blockquote>
The 50 per cent offered to other civil servants including teachers is a joke; unfortunately, we can’t laugh it off because families are starving.
We will not allow government to discriminate against any section of workers.
To that end, we shall force the employer to pay teachers a living wage. US$1,260 is the minimum demand from teachers.
Soldiers have guns but we have our collective force as workers.
The government is warned not to keep on stretching our patience. They will be faced with a tsunami of workers’ protests.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Raymond_Majongwe">Raymond Majongwe</a>, secretary general of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a>, echoed Masaraure’s remarks. He said:
<blockquote>
We don’t challenge that soldiers have been paid, we celebrate that at least somebody has realised that soldiers are being underpaid but then why then cherry-pick and choose soldiers over the teachers; why not give us the same.
Remember in the past, teachers were the first to be paid. They have turned it around.
They have paid the soldiers first, they have paid the police, they have paid the nurses and teachers who come last in that rank and file. That is unacceptable.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Congress Of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU), organizing secretary, Charles Chinosengwa described the government’s selective awarding of a 400% pay hike to soldiers and police as a divide-and-rule tactic capable of bringing ruin to the education sector.
Observers view the government’s decision to award soldiers and police a 400% wage increase as an attempt to appease the security sector ahead of harmonised elections scheduled for July this year.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Soldiers, Police Get 400% Pay Hike

Teachers have written to the government requesting a meeting over salaries with the hope that they will get a rescue package before schools open for the first term of 2023 on Monday 09 January.
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a> said it would deliver a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) this Tuesday demanding an urgent meeting to discuss salary issues.
PTUZ president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou">Takavafira Zhou</a> told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
We have written a letter today (yesterday) to the PSC requesting an urgent meeting before the end of this week to solve our grievances, and we will deliver it today.
The most important thing is to resolve the issue of salaries and conditions of service because no one can turn up for work using an eroded December salary. We have hinted at getting a rescue package before schools open and it is our hope that they will agree to our pleas.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> said they had resolved to go on strike when schools open next week. He is cited by NewsDay as saying:
<blockquote>
(Finance minister) <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> has killed all the hope for a successful opening of schools for the first term of 2023. The teachers remain trapped in the challenges of 2022.
We conducted a strike ballot asking teachers to decide whether they wanted to go back to work under the current salary structure. 99% of the 52 340 teachers who have participated so far are in favour of going on strike.
We are engaging other unions to see if it’s possible to go on a united nationwide strike. If union bureaucrats choose not to participate, we will be engaging in a high impact collective action led from below by the teachers themselves.
</blockquote>
Ncube recently said the government had “tried its best” to improve the welfare of teachers and other civil servants given the circumstances.
In a statement, Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Munyaradzi Majoni said educators want to return to work, but need more pay to sustain themselves.
Workers have over the years demanded US$540 or better.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers "Hope" To Get A Rescue Package Before Schools Open

Unions representing teachers Wednesday said the salary issue is urgent and should be resolved before schools reopen in the new year.
Their remarks come after Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> said the government wouldn’t raise salaries as demanded by civil servants adding that the government tried its best to improve the salaries given the circumstances.
Public sector workers want pay hikes and have<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teacher-arrested-for-posting-whatsapp-message-complaining-about-poor-salaries/"> spent the past three years</a> <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teacher-arrested-for-posting-whatsapp-message-complaining-about-poor-salaries/">calling on the government to pay them their pre-October 2018 United States dollar salaries of around US$540.</a>
Throughout 2022, civil servants have been demanding a pay hike. Yesterday, some teachers’ unions said the parallel market rate was now $1 100 to US$1, which called for Ncube to pay teachers in US$.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association president Richard Gundani said it was unfortunate that Ncube was claiming that civil servants were well paid. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
That statement is inaccurate; he should have said since I cannot pay them — they must stop going to work. This thing is always two-fold because when people go to work they get a salary, which is an enabler for them to continue to go to work. Coming into the new year, the salary issue is urgent and must be resolved to ensure good service delivery. The minister must know that service delivery must not be compromised. His statement that he has already incentivised civil servants is very unfortunate.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said there is likely to be a massive brain drain if the government does not pay teachers a living wage.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said the finance minister must use the surplus he “boasts of every time” to pay “the poor civil servants.”
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Coming Into The New Year, The Salary Issue Is Urgent" - Teachers

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/TeachersforED">Teachers for ED (Economic Development)</a>, has urged the government to enter into a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom government to protect teachers from possible human trafficking.
The UK government had listed Zimbabwean teachers as eligible for a qualified teacher status (QTS) in that country with effect from February 1 next year.
But in a statement seen by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005405/protect-teachers-moving-overseas">NewsDay</a>, Teachers for ED, a shadowy group formed to prop up President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2023 electoral campaign, believes human trafficking is a possibility. The group said:
<blockquote>
Regarding this new development, Trs4ED is of the view that government needs to intervene so that those teachers willing to take up the offer are protected from the jaws of human traffickers, incidents of irregular migration and being ripped off by the so-called visa sponsors.
In this regard, Trs4ED is set to engage with the government of Zimbabwe; particularly the Primary and Secondary Education ministry (MoPSE) and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministry to ensure that a system is developed that protects our teachers from trafficking, human smuggling, human organs trafficking among other transnational crimes.
The group called for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or some form of a bilateral agreement between the government of Zimbabwe and the UK so that ‘our teachers are protected, respected and the profession remains dignified.
Our view is to push for a similar agreement between Rwanda and Zimbabwe that saw teachers working in Rwanda. Lastly, Trs4ED can be represented in the diaspora where economic development projects are implemented back in our motherland.
</blockquote>
Educators Union of Zimbabwe President Tafadzwa Munodawafa said this was a ploy to restrict teachers from working in the UK.
Munodawafa said the government should not introduce stringent measures to deter those who want to leave the country to seek greener pastures.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) president Obert Masaraure said the government should pay a competitive salary to prevent teacher mass exodus.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Ptuz) president Takavafira Zhou said the government needs to ensure that teachers are motivated as the employment of teachers by neighbouring countries and the UK might end up compromising the quality of education in the country.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers4ED Says UK And Zimbabwe Should Have An Agreement To Protect Teachers

Civil servants have said the bonuses they are set to receive this year starting from November are too insignificant adding that the government should raise their salaries instead.
They are set to receive their bonus in United States dollars including a flat US$200 presidential bonus, NewsDay reported quoting a correspondence from the National Joint Negotiation Committee (NJNC) held on Monday. It read in part: 
<blockquote>
Payment of the 2022 bonus for deputy director level and grades below will be in US dollars as 100% of gross pensionable emoluments (basic salary, transport and housing allowance. An additional US$200 will be paid to every employee as a special presidential bonus.
The bonus will be paid in two equal tranches across all sectors starting from November, with the latest payment being in December.
</blockquote>
Some workers’ unions have since registered displeasure over the amount workers are expected to get. 
 Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) president Obert Masaraure said:
<blockquote>
The 100% bonus remains paltry because it is 100% of a paltry income. We insist that salaries should be adjusted to the pre-October 2018 level. Paying in instalments will further erode the purchasing power of the bonus. The parties who signed representing NJNC should be ashamed for sustaining an illegal platform for their own expediency. Civil servants deserve a genuine collective bargaining platform in line with Convention 154 of ILO, best practices in the region and section 65(5) of our own Constitution. The naming of an annual bonus as presidential shows that we are not serious as a nation. What’s so presidential about that paltry amount? Someone somewhere is reducing the Office of the President to a joke.
</blockquote>
Civil servants are demanding pre-October 2018 United States dollar salaries to make ends meet in the face of skyrocketing cost of living.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo also said the figure was too little for hardworking employees adding that the government must pay the bonuses in one month.
Private sector workers are also demanding United States dollar salaries.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Civil Servants Say "The 100% Bonus Remains Paltry"

The government has refuted claims by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) that about 63 per cent of rural pupils dropped out of school in 2022.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said the union was exaggerating the number. He responded to the report:
<blockquote>
It’s just an allegation; a sensational one too.
</blockquote>
In its report titled: Beyond geographies of inequality: Public Education Financing in Post-COVID-19 Zimbabwe, ARTUZ said rural learners are behind their urban counterparts. Artuz researcher Tamuka Chirimambowa said:
<blockquote>
There are 63% of school dropouts in the rural areas and most of them are girls at secondary schools. The level of dropouts of girls which is continuously increasing is so disturbing. So when we look at this, it actually raises questions.
There is a lack of reading skills with 85% of schoolchildren lacking reading skills, while 86% lack numerous skills compared to the urban schoolchildren where only 19% lack reading skills and only 14% lack numerous skills.
There is rural-urban divide inequality. In terms of digital infrastructure, schools in the rural areas lag behind. They are technologically behind. Physically, they don’t even have infrastructure like labs and this actually raises more challenges for the students. 
There is a shortage of school teachers. There is a shortfall of 20 000 teachers and this affects more rural schools because there are some teachers who wouldn’t want to go teach where there are poor services and poor infrastructure. Inappropriate teacher-pupil ratio is also worsening teachers’ incapacitation.
</blockquote>
While Chrimambowa did not state the reason why pupils are dropping out of school, some reports observe that school fees and pregnancies are leading factors.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Govt Refutes Claims That 63% Of Rural Pupils Dropped Out Of School In 2022

Teachers’ unions are demanding the dismissal of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amon_Murwira">Amon Murwira</a> for <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-tells-teachers-to-establish-own-schools/">urging new graduates to open their own schools</a> to cater for the estimated 4 000 schools deficit in the country.
The unions said the remarks were reckless since the government is constitutionally mandated to provide education facilities for its citizens and not delegate that responsibility to private investors, according to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200001844/teachers-unions-wrap-reckless-minister">NewsDay</a>.
Addressing a graduation ceremony at the United College of Education (UCE) in Bulawayo recently, Murwira said:
<blockquote>
What we lacked was the framework under which our graduates can start schools and be facilitated to do so.
It’s normally a matter of policy direction and resources being poured towards that policy direction.
That’s where the discussion is, not whether we have enough jobs or not. We don’t have enough schools; we don’t have enough teachers and we don’t have enough people with the expertise that you have.
I told you about the deficit of schools. So why are we stuck? Why are we not building schools?
Who said we cannot build schools? Who said we should work for the Public Service Commission?
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said private educational institutions were never designed to take the responsibility to provide education from the State. He added:
<blockquote>
Only ruling party, the elite can afford to create these private schools. Murwira’s sentiments were meant to legitimise the proliferation of private schools owned by the ruling elites. Teachers are being exploited in such schools and we hope the graduate teachers understand that they are being lured to private schools to be exploited.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou concurred with Masaraure adding that the Minister must accept that the State has failed and look for investors who could possibly build schools.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers' Unions Want Higher And Tertiary Minister Murwira Fired

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> has criticised the government for declaring that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-says-bonus-will-only-be-paid-based-on-performance-appraisal-reports/">future end-of-year bonuses will be performance-based – starting this year.</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-says-bonus-will-only-be-paid-based-on-performance-appraisal-reports/">Govt Says Bonus Will ONLY Be Paid Based On Performance Appraisal Reports</a></li>
</ul>
Zimbabwe’s 350 000 civil servants have been paid a blanket end-of-year bonus all along. 
Speaking to ZimLive, ARTUZ president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> expressed fear that the performance management system may be abused. He said:
<blockquote>
Performance appraisals should be an ongoing process which should never be weaponised in an attempt to prejudice workers.
All civil servants have legitimate expectations to receive bonuses. We have consulted teachers and we are advised that most teachers never sat down with the supervisors to set realistic goals. At the end of the day, appraisal forms are going to be ‘cooked.
</blockquote>
Government workers have since 2019 embarked on periodic industrial action demanding restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries which were around US$540.
While chose to “go slow,” some were not even showing up for work citing incapacitation.
The adoption of the new performance appraisal might be a coercive tool to ensure that workers do not engage in protests.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Workers' Union Criticises Govt For Adopting Performance-based Bonus System

Teachers have said Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Mthuli Ncube</a> must allocate 20% of the 2023 national budget to the education sector in line with the Dakar Framework for Action.
In their 2023 pre-budget position paper to Parliament, teachers said the 13% allocated to the education ministry in 2022 was inadequate to solve problems bedevilling the sector.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> spoke to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200001543/teachers-demand-20-budget-allocation">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
Underfunding has led to multiple crises in the learning sector such as unaffordable education, lack of resources and paltry salaries for teachers resulting in incapacitation, dilapidation of infrastructure and 50% of youths dropping out of school.
The 2022 $55,2 billion allocated to education translated to US$674 million using 2021 rates. This was a big drop from US$1,162 billion allocated in 2019, US$905 million in 2018, and US$803 million in 2017.
</blockquote>
Educators Union of Zimbabwe vice-president Tapedza Zhou said teachers’ salaries should be above a living wage.
His remarks were echoed by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Teachers_Association_(ZIMTA)">Zimbabwe Teachers Association</a> secretary-general Goodwill Taderera who said the majority of teachers were living under the poverty datum line.
Teachers have since 2019 been calling upon the government to restore their pre-October 2018 salaries which were in the range of US$540.
The government says it has no capacity to pay all of them in United States Dollars.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers Want Finance Minister To Allocate 20% Of 2023 Budget To Education Sector

Teachers are reportedly divided over reports that the government is giving senior civil servants in the education sector are being given travel and subsistence allowances pegged in United States dollars (US$).
The senior officials are getting per diems of up to US$125 per day, which is paid in local currency for attending meetings, chairing disciplinary meetings and other events in the education ministry, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200001443/govt-pampers-education-executives">NewsDay</a> reported.
Teachers who spoke to NewsDay accused the government of offering perks to the senior education officers to encourage them to intimidate and frustrate efforts to push the government to restore pre-October 2018 salaries that were around US$540. 
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> claimed:
<blockquote>
A layer of elite civil servants is being created to strengthen ‘supervision’ of the majority of civil servants. That layer is enjoying special perks and is being deployed to scuttle any collective job actions. Government has divided teachers through the introduction of a layer of teachers who are promised to enjoy economic privileges, professional exceptionalism and social protection. The group named Teachers for ED is being used as a vehicle to bastardise trade unionism.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Raymond_Majongwe">Raymond Majongwe</a> said: 
<blockquote>
Senior officials in the Education ministry get per diems on several occasions during the course of the month while teachers are in class, working. 
</blockquote>
Majongwe added that the senior teachers were getting USDs and have, as a result, been pocketing way more than what teachers are earning, which is somewhat demoralising teachers in class.
Education ministry spokesperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Taungana_Ndoro">Taungana Ndoro</a> said there was nothing amiss in giving allowances to senior members because it was the norm across all other government departments, as well as in the private sector.
He added that allowances in US dollars could be from partners including the British Council, Unicef or World Vision and the government “can’t stop them.”
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Senior Education Officials' "USD Allowances" Divide Teachers - Report

The trial date has been set for seventeen (17) teachers who were arrested in January 2022 during a protest over salaries.
They are scheduled to appear in court on 27 October 2022. 
The state accuses the teachers of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry as defined in section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. 
It is alleged that the teachers gathered on 12 January 2022 at the National Social Security Association (NSSA) building in Harare holding stones whilst some had placards written:
<blockquote>
 SAY NO BOND SLAVERY, ARTUZ, FIGHTING FOR RESTORATION OF classroom DIGNITY # EDU VOTE, ARTUZ, trs, YOU SAID 2022 WE WILL BE HAPPY#540USD SALARY.
</blockquote>
<h2>The accused teachers are:</h2>
<blockquote>
1). Obert Masaraure (ARTUZ president)
2). Tambudzai Mumbijo, 
3). Munyaradzi Ndawana, 
4). Liam Takura Kanhenga, 
5). Wellington Gweshe, 
6). Andrew Munguri, 
7). Panashe Mutsvairo, 
8). Munyaradzi Masiyiwa, 
9). Tadiwanashe Muguti, 
10). Isaiah Chamunorwa, 
11). Brian Mhlanga, 
12). Sheron Tambudzai, 
13). Linia Nkiwani, 
14). Patricia Chiedza, 
15). Vimbai Mamutse, 
16). Sokuluhle Ndlovu and 
17). Thembekile Ncube 
</blockquote>
They gathered at Harare gardens, Harare and marched towards NSSA whilst singing and holding placards.
The state says the teachers marched with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of them forcibly disturbing the peace, security or order of the public or any section of the public; or invading the rights of other people.
Meanwhile, ARTUZ says the arrests are a sign that protests are banned in Zimbabwe.
The government <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teachers-paid-five-times-less-than-other-civil-servants/">recently offered an increase of 25 per cent</a> on the USD$100 cushioning allowance to make it US$125 and maintained the USD$75 COVID-19 allowance to make the total US dollar package US$200 with effect from September 1, 2022. Pre-October 2018, they earned about US$540.
Teachers and the rest of the public service, have been at loggerheads with the government since 2019 over salaries after the government decided to pay them in the local currency that was pegged at 1: 1 with the United States dollar.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/06/24/breaking-rbz-si-142-bans-use-of-all-foreign-currencies-with-effect-from-24-june-2019/">Reintroduced in June 2019,</a> the Zimbabwe dollar has constantly been losing value against the USD thereby eroding workers’ salaries. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Trial Date Set For 17 Teachers Arrested During A Salary Protest

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> has warned that teachers will “fight back” if the government does not pay them their pre-October 2018 salaries.
Public schools reopened on the 5th of September amid reports of teachers “going slow.” Said the union in a Twitter post:
<blockquote>
The government should never assume that Unions have retreated from the fight for USD 540. We just gave them a long rope. We requested a USD 200 cushion &amp; they ignored our call. September payday is coming, if the government doesn’t pay pre-October 2018 salaries workers will fight back!
</blockquote>
Teachers and the rest of the public service, have been at loggerheads with the government since 2019 over salaries after the government decided to pay them in the local currency that was pegged at 1: 1 with the United States dollar.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/06/24/breaking-rbz-si-142-bans-use-of-all-foreign-currencies-with-effect-from-24-june-2019/">Reintroduced in June 2019,</a> the Zimbabwe dollar has constantly been losing value against the USD thereby eroding workers’ salaries.
<ul>
<li>Also Read: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/06/24/full-text-rbz-press-statement-on-rtgs-interest-rates-following-band-of-multi-currency/" rel="bookmark">FULL TEXT: RBZ Press Statement On RTGS$ &amp; Interest Rates Following Band Of Multi-Currency</a></li>
</ul>
On the other hand, the government has been taking time to review salaries, offering non-monetary benefits instead. Treasury says the government does not have enough foreign currency to pay its workforce. 
Previously, the government responded to strikes by deploying the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to thwart the demos while some workers were suspended. 
Poor salaries have resulted in the mass exodus of workers to neighbouring countries or overseas.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers Threaten To "Fight Back" If Govt Doesn't Pay Pre-October 2018 Salaries This Month

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has said teachers cannot be expected to return to work when schools reopen next week since they are incapacitated.
In a Twitter post this Wednesday, ARTUZ said:
<blockquote>
Schools are scheduled to open next week, Teachers still have outstanding issues with the employer, and Incapacitated Teachers can’t be miraculously expected back in schools. Our leaders are already being surveilled by State Agents but nevertheless, we continue to fight for Trs’ dignity.
</blockquote>
<h2>Some context:</h2>
Teachers have for years been at loggerheads with the government demanding restoration of pre-October 2018 salaries that were around US$540.
They say their current salaries denominated in a fast-depreciating Zimbabwean dollar are not enough to cover their needs.
They are currently being paid an <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/teachers-strike-inevitable-despite-100-salary-hike/">equivalent of about US$48.</a>
The salary is in addition to a USD75.00 COVID-19 Allowance payable in foreign currency and a USD100.00 per month Cushioning Allowance also payable in foreign currency. 
<h2>In June this year, the government also announced nonmonetary benefits for teachers. These include:</h2>
<blockquote>
• Restoration of Advancement awards
• Payment of Performance awards which had been withheld due to financial constraints.
• Payment of school fees for up to 3 biological children per teaching family; This benefit applies to teachers and payment will be made directly to schools and will be up to a prescribed limit per biological child. 
• Provision of 34 000 housing units as institutional accommodation for teachers within and outside school premises over a period of 5 years.
• Provision of transport facilities to ferry teachers in both rural and urban areas has already commenced. 
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, teachers say the government is not taking action to implement some of the promises made.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers Vow Not To Return To Work As School Reopen Next Week

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> has been granted ZWL$50 000 bail after spending 27 days at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
Masaraure had been jailed on charges of inciting public violence after he posted on his Twitter that the CID Law and Order department was being weaponised to paralyse ARTUZ operations. 
In a statement released following Masaraure’s release, ARTUZ said:
<blockquote>
Finally! President @OMasaraure has been granted bail of 50 000RTGS and to report once every fortnight to CID law and order between 8 am and 4 pm.
In our conscience, we maintain that freedom delayed is freedom denied. President Obert is not a criminal and therefore all charges laid against him should be dropped.
</blockquote>
High Court Judge Justice Rodgers Manyangadze ruled that the previous Judge had misdirected himself in opposing bail on account that Masaraure is a flight risk
Masaraure was seeking his release from remand prison on charges of defeating and obstructing the course of justice. 
Justice Manyangadze ordered Masaraure to report  once every fortnight to Harare Central police CID Law and Order between 8 am and 4 pm
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

ARTUZ President Masaraure Granted Bail After Nearly A Month In Prison

Trade unionists from across various sectors say workers cannot afford the newly introduced gold coins, The NewsHawks’ Brenna Matendere reports.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on 25 July 2022 introduced the Mosi-oa-Tunya gold coins with RBZ governor John Mangudya saying they are meant to curb an inflation spike that has eroded the country’s dying currency.
An<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/rbz-releases-first-batch-of-the-2-000-mosi-oa-tunya-gold-coins-25-july-2022/"> initial </a><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/rbz-releases-first-batch-of-the-2-000-mosi-oa-tunya-gold-coins-25-july-2022/">batch of 2 000 coins was disbursed</a> to commercial banks and each coin was retailing for more than US$1 800. 
In separate interviews with The NewsHawks, leaders of trade unions said workers will not afford the coins and they will not benefit the average citizen.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said the educators stayed away from the gold coin trade because of poverty. He said:
<blockquote>
Gold coins are not palatable to the poor but the rich who can get much money. As for teachers, no one has them. They are of no consequence to teachers. No teacher will go for them. The salary a teacher gets is inadequate even to buy basic needs, and so buying a gold coin is considered a luxury.
</blockquote>
Zhou added that teachers earn an average of ZW$54 000 after the latest 100% salary increase, which is far less than ZW$800 000 which was the asking price for the gold coin on Monday.
He said workers need US dollar salaries and the revitalisation of the local industry to improve production and eventually stabilise the economy.
Robson Chere, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) secretary-general, echoed Zhou’s sentiments. 
He equated gold coins to the duty-free car incentive for civil servants who, “are unable to import the cars due to their measly salaries.” 
Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers’ Union (ZIBAWU) national secretary-general Peter Mutasa, echoed the above sentiments adding that the minimum wage in the banking sector is ZW$220 000 which means workers have to save for all their net salaries for over five months to buy one coin.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Trade Unionists Say Workers Cannot Afford RBZ's Mosi-oa-Tunya Gold Coins

National Mine Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (NMWUZ) President Mr Kurebwa Javangwe Nomboka has demanded the immediate release of Obert Masaraure whose recent detention he had labelled as unlawful, freelance journalist Maxwell Teedzai reports. 
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)</a> leader was arrested on Friday 8 July 2022 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice as defined in Section 184(1)(c) of Criminal Code alternatively incitement to commit public violence as defined in Section 187(1)(a) of Criminal Code as read with Section 36(1)(a) of Criminal Code.
Prosecutors alleged that Masaraure authored a statement that he published on Twitter and on the ARTUZ website, which was meant to prejudice his pending trial to persuade the teachers’ union members and the general public to commit public violence.
In his recent solidarity message on behalf of the NMWUZ Executive, National Council and General Members, Nomboka said:
<blockquote>
The real reason they’re incarcerating Masaraure is that he is fighting for the labour rights of teachers in Zimbabwe. It’s a legal right of civil servants in particular and workers, in general, to hold peaceful demonstrations or even participate in an industrial action where they might feel that their rights as teachers would have been grossly tampered with.
We view this as a clear effort by the State to silence Comrade Masaraure who has been very vocal against human rights violations as well as his push for the betterment of working conditions for teachers and with that we’re left with no other option but to go on a nationwide strike as a last resort to demand the unconditional release of Masaraure.
</blockquote>
A Harare court has repeatedly denied bail for Masaraure. 
Earlier on, Masaraure had been arrested by ZRP officers on 14 June 2022 and charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He was accused of teaming up with some unnamed accomplices to kill Issa on 11 June 2016.
Investigations in 2016 indicated that Masaraure was nowhere near the scene when Issa fell to his death. He was granted bail amounting to ZWL60 000 by High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi.
Some government critics say Masaraure who is also the Spokesperson for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, is being harassed for demanding better wages and working conditions for teachers and all workers at large. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

NMWUZ President Demands Immediate Release Of ARTUZ Leader Obert Masaraure

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Beatrice_Mtetwa">Beatrice Mtetwa</a> this Wednesday <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/beatrice-mtetwa-secures-bail-for-artuz-secretary-general-chere/">secured bail for Robson Chere</a> the secretary-general of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).</a> 
Meanwhile, Chere’s colleague, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a>, the president of ARTUZ, remains at Harare Remand Prison. In a case update seen by Pindula News, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Harare Magistrate Stanford Mambanje deferred delivery of his bail ruling to Thursday 14 July 2022. Reads the update:
<blockquote>
<h2>ARTUZ’S CHERE GRANTED BAIL AS MASARAURE REMAINS INCARCERATED</h2>
HIGH Court Judge Justice Anne-Lucy Mungwari on Wednesday 13 July 2022 set free Robson Chere, the Secretary-General of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), who had been in prison for eight days after he was arrested and charged with murder.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested Chere on 5 July 2022 and charged him with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
In court, prosecutors alleged that on 11 June 2016 Chere together with four unnamed accomplices went on a drinking spree in Harare with Roy Issa, where after a misunderstanding with him they ganged up against him and assaulted him on the head with unknown weapons resulting in his death.
The prosecutors charged that Chere, who is represented by Beatrice Mtetwa and Doug Coltart of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), concealed the offence by falsely claiming that Isa fell from the balcony of Jameson Hotel resulting in his death.
Issa’s body, prosecutors said, was found lying some six metres away from Jameson Hotel along Park Street in Harare.
On Wednesday 13 July 2022, Justice Mungwari ended the eight-day detention of Chere by granting him bail amounting to ZWL60 000 and ordering him to report once a month at a police station, surrender his passport and to continue residing at his given residential address until his matter is finalised.
Meanwhile, ARTUZ leader Obert Masaraure remains incarcerated at Harare Remand Prison after Harare Magistrate Stanford Mambanje deferred delivery of his bail ruling to Thursday 14 July 2022.
Masaraure, who is represented by Tapiwa Muchineripi of ZLHR, was arrested on Friday 8 July 2022 by ZRP officers and charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice as defined in Section 184(1)(c) of Criminal Code alternatively incitement to commit public violence as defined in Section 187(1)(a) of Criminal Code as read with Section 36(1)(a) of Criminal Code.
Prosecutors alleged that Masaraure authored a statement which he published on Twitter and on ARTUZ website, which was meant to prejudice his pending trial and that of Chere and o persuade the teachers’ union members and the general public to commit public violence.
Earlier on, Masaraure, who is also the Spokesperson of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, had been arrested by ZRP officers on 14 June 2022 and charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He was accused of teaming up with some unnamed accomplices to kill Issa on 11 June 2016. He was granted bail amounting to ZWL60 000 by High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi.
</blockquote>
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

ARTUZ's Chere Granted Bail As Masaraure Remains In Jail

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Beatrice_Mtetwa">Beatrice Mtetwa</a> this Wednesday secured bail for Robson Chere the secretary-general of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ). </a>
Chere was arrested on the 5th of July 2022 in connection with the death of his friend Roy Issa who fell from the seventh floor of a Harare Hotel sometime in 2016 while drinking with friends, including <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> who <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/artuz-president-obert-masaraure-arrested-over-his-friends-death/">has also been arrested over the same incident.</a>
The police, back then, dismissed any foul play following investigations into his death.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) issued an update on the case:
<blockquote>
JUST IN: Our lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa just got @ARTUZ_teachers SG @robohchere set free from prison on ZWL60 000 bail granted by Justice Annie-Lucy Mungwari, who also ordered him to report @PoliceZimbabwe once every month, surrender his passport &amp; continue residing at given address.
</blockquote>
Government critics say the arrests were “silly” and meant to destabilise teachers’ unions who are planning protests over poor salaries and working conditions.
<h2>Pindula News</h2>

Beatrice Mtetwa Secures Bail For ARTUZ Secretary-General Chere

Malawi Teachers’ Union (TUM) has called for the immediate release of Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union (ZRTUZ) president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> and Secretary-General Robson Chere.
Masaraure <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/rural-teachers-union-president-obert-masaraure-arrested/">was arrested on Saturday</a> for allegedly writing a statement that he published on Twitter and on the ARTUZ website meant to “prejudice his pending trial and that of ARTUZ secretary-general Robson Chere and to persuade ARTUZ members and the general public to commit public violence.” 
In a statement, seen by Pindula News, Malawi teachers say an injury to one teacher is an injury to all teachers. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF OBERT MASARAURE THE ARTUZ PRESIDENT AND ROBSON CHERERE-THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF ARTUZ</h2>
On behalf of the membership and leadership of the Teachers’ Union of Malawi (TUM), we condemn the arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention of Mr. Obert Masaraure the president of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) and Mr. Robson Cherere the Secretary-General of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ). One person might ask what interest does our organization have in this matter? The response is simple we firmly believe in offering solidarity to the oppressed workers especially teachers. We also firmly believe in Martin Luther King Jr’s words found in his letter from Birmingham Jail which stated that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We call upon the relevant authorities in Harare to do the right thing and immediately release the president and Secretary General of ARTUZ.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
CHARLES KUMCHENGA 
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
</blockquote>
<h2>Pindula News</h2>

Teachers In Malawi Call For Obert Masaraure's Immediate Release

Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors (ZHRM) have expressed concern over the continued detention of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a>, the president of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amalgamated_Rural_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Amalgamated Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).</a>
ZHRM, an organisation whose goal is to transform Zimbabwe into a Democratic Developmental state through research, innovation, policy analysis, lobbying and advocacy and citizen participation, said:
<blockquote>
It’s is a characteristical injustice to hold someone in custody for a fortnight without granting bail especially when there is no sufficient ground to do so. We are concerned by how the regime arrests to investigate instead of investigating to arrest.
</blockquote>
The sentiments were echoed by ARTUZ which said Masaraure must be released. Said the teachers’ union:
<blockquote>
It’s 2 weeks now and the regime is still holding our President in custody for a crime he did not commit. At their best, they can’t even grant him bail which is a fundamental right as stated in the constitution of Zimbabwe. 
</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/artuz-president-obert-masaraure-arrested-over-his-friends-death/">Masaraure was arrested on 14 June 2022</a> in connection with the death of his friend Roy Issa fell from the seventh floor of a Harare Hotel sometime in 2016 while drinking with friends, including Masaraure.
Back in 2016, the Zimbabwe Republic Police dismissed any foul play following investigations into Roy Issa’s death.
The United States’ largest trade union, the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), has also petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/us-labor-union-urges-president-mnangagwa-to-drop-charges-against-masaraure/">to drop charges</a> against Masaraure.
Like many other human rights defenders, AFL-CIO believes that the charges are solely motivated by Masaraure’s legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights.
<h2>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">Pindula News </a>is best enjoyed <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/?utm_source=PindulaArticles&amp;utm_campaign=DownloadLink">via the App. Download it here</a></h2>

Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Express Concern Over Masaraure's Continued Detention

The United States’ largest trade union, the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), has petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to drop charges against Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure.
Masaraure was arrested at Harare Central police station on 14 June in connection with the death of his friend in 2016. AFL-CIO believes that the charges are solely motivated by Masaraure’s legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights.
He was arrested when he visited the police station as part of conditions set for his bail in a case of treason and participating in an unlawful teachers’ protest.
The arrest came a few days after the ARTUZ leader had received an award in Dublin for his contribution to the human rights sector and a few days before planned protests.
In a letter seen by NewZimbabwe.com dated June 22, 2022, written by AFL-CIO international director, Catherine Feingold accused Harare of employing “judicial harassment” against human rights defenders. The letter said:
<blockquote>
On behalf of the 12,5 million members of the AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the United States, I write to express our deep concern on the continued violation of worker and human rights in your country, including the detention of Obert Masaraure, the national president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).
The recent incident is part of a pattern of violations against ARTUZ and its members which started in December 2018 and have continued to escalate.
These incidents come in a context of harassment and detentions committed against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe in reprisal for their work on the right to education in rural areas, labor and other civil rights.
</blockquote>
The US labour group added that the “ongoing human rights violations by security agents and recognises them as part of an effort to clamp down on freedoms, specifically against human rights defenders fighting for the right to education in rural areas, labor and other civil rights in Zimbabwe.”
<h2>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">Pindula News </a>is best enjoyed <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/?utm_source=PindulaArticles&amp;utm_campaign=DownloadLink">via the App. Download it here</a></h2>

US Labor Union Urges President Mnangagwa To Drop Charges Against Masaraure

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has said it is ready to engage government in genuine dialogue to solve the current wage deadlock.
In a statement on Wednesday, ARTUZ said a hardline approach against educators would not yield a win-win situation, but would prolong the crisis and remove any room for dialogue. 
Teachers embarked on industrial action when schools reopened on 7 February demanding the pre-October 2018 salary of USD540. 
In response, the government then suspended 1 500 teachers and 50 school heads for three months without pay. ARTUZ says the impasse will only make matters worse. Said the union:
<blockquote>
The situation in education is deteriorating at an alarming rate and it is the innocent learner who is most affected. Educators are victimised, threatened, arbitrarily arrested, suspended and expelled unilaterally. 
The education crisis cannot be resolved through threats, suspensions and expulsions, but by genuine dialogue premised on the restoration of the pre-October US$540 salary.
</blockquote>
The educators have approached the courts for redress.
Artuz accused government of using the divide and rule tactic to continue underpaying workers.
Government last month offered to increase all civil servants’ salaries by 20% and pay each employee an additional US$100 per month.
However, unions have rejected the offer and insisted on pre-October 2018 salary of US$540.
More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

The Education Crisis Can Be Resolved By Genuine Dialogue - Teachers

Some teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe have urged parents to push the government to review teachers’ salaries if they feel burdened by private lesson charges.
Teachers have in the past two years been demanding a restoration of the pre-October 2018 salaries that were around US$540.
They argue that inflation eroded their Zimbabwe dollar-denominated salaries thereby forcing them to conduct extra lessons to make ends meet.
In Harare, they charge anything between US$10 and US$20 per child a month.
Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary Tapedza Zhou said extra lessons were illegal, but teachers had no option but to make a living.
<blockquote>
We never encourage teachers to conduct extra lessons, we do not condone them.
Therefore, parents have an unexplored option of knocking on the government’s doors if they feel short-changed.
They must not negotiate down the prices of extra lessons.
</blockquote>
The government has said it has no capacity to meet their demands, at the moment, and recently gave them a 20 per cent salary increase, US$100 allowance plus other non-monetary benefits.
Teachers have rejected the offer.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure called on parents to unite with teachers in demanding better salaries for the educators.
He said parents and teachers have no responsibility for funding education but the government which has neglected its duty, is failing to fund basic education and pay teachers. He added:
<blockquote>
At the end of the day, teachers strive to get something from poor parents, which is very unfortunate.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said there is no need for extra lessons as they bring differences among students dependent on the cash a parent has.
He added that the best remedy is for the government to pay teachers well and advise parents to stop dangling the poisoned carrot of extra payment under the guise of conducting extra lessons.
Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro told NewsDay that the government was working with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to flush out those charging for extra lessons.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/teachers-turn-to-parents-in-fight-for-better-salaries/">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a>

Teachers: Push Government To Pay Better Salaries If Extra Lessons Charges Are High

Teachers’ unions have vowed to fights for their rights as the government Wednesday threatened to expel all striking teachers and school heads who fail to report for duty by Tuesday next week.
Authorities said they will replace the striking teachers with college graduates and unemployed trained educators.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said: 
<blockquote>
We warned the government that it was going to be an uphill task to call teachers to schools without paying them first. Teachers are incapacitated and we need a comprehensive roadmap to be followed in addressing our issues.
</blockquote>
The PTUZ also petitioned Education International, a global federation of teachers’ trade unions which is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is attending the European Union/African Union summit, to intervene to resolve their impasse with the government. The PTUZ letter dated February 15, read:
<blockquote>
We are requesting Education International to intervene on our behalf and engage the government of Zimbabwe to avert a labour crisis.  It is important to note that the government can afford to act in blatant disregard of normal labour relations with workers because it has consistently failed to adhere to International Labour Organisation Conventions 151 and 154 which obliges it to adhere to good labour relations.
</blockquote>
Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union chairperson Obert Masaraure said they have already taken steps to institute legal proceedings against the government. 
Legal expert Tawanda Mapuranga said the government’s decision had no legal backing adding that it was only motivated by political interests.
Parents that spoke to NewsDay yesterday said the government ran the risk of employing inexperienced teachers, compromising education standards. 
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/govt-to-replace-striking-teachers-with-college-graduates/">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a>

Striking Teachers Vow To "Fight For Their Rights" As Government Threatens To Expel Them

Student teachers have said they back the industrial action over salaries by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) and all teachers nationwide. Some teachers refused to return to work when schools resumed on 7 February saying they are incapacitated. They want the government to pay them US$540 they were being paid in 2018. In previous articles, Pindula News reported that the government suspended the striking teachers for three months without pay. Teachers say the suspensions are meant to instil fear in teachers. We present the statement issued by the student teachers:
<blockquote>
<h2>COUNCIL OF STUDENT TEACHERS’ STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH ARTUZ AND ALL TEACHERS.</h2>
It has been noted that in times of great oppression the ones that choose to remain silent automatically sides with the oppressors. We as a progressive student representative council we would not side with any oppressors. We believe that teachers should be afforded the dignity and respect that befits the nation’s educators.
Teachers and indeed student teachers cannot continue to subsidize the government, a far more superior and rich institution. If this continued Job action is what it takes, then so be it the resistance of evil in and of itself is justified regardless of method or consequences.
Enough is Enough. Teachers cannot breathe.
AMANDLA!!!!!!!
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Student Teachers Back Teachers' Salary Strike "Regardless Of Consequences"

Thousands of teachers in Zimbabwe are reportedly on strike over poor salaries and unsafe working conditions.
In-classroom teaching resumed this week, but some teachers are protesting salaries that are below the poverty level and a lack of personal protective equipment against COVID-19.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) says it will only call off the strike when the government addresses the concerns. ARTUZ Secretary-General, Robson Chere said:
<blockquote>
And there is negligence on the part of the authorit(ies) to make sure that there is enough safety to guarantee our teachers and learners from the pandemic.
They should have been providing adequate water supply, enough PPEs. Arcturus Primary School, which is down here, hasn’t even water. It’s messy. It’s a disaster. We are sitting on a time bomb for both learners and teachers.
</blockquote>
VOA reports that some students around Harare have been going to school since Monday to try to learn among themselves, as there are no teachers who fear that classrooms may turn into Covid-19 superspreaders. 
Taungana Ndoro, director of communications and advocacy at Zimbabwe’s Education Ministry, however, says the government has been working to ensure classrooms are safe. He said:
<blockquote>
We have been putting in new infrastructure to ensure that we decongest the existing infrastructure to ensure that there is social and physical distancing for the prevention and management of Covid-19.
</blockquote>
UNICEF Zimbabwe has been helping students and the government during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Zimbabwe’s teachers hope such organizations can assist the government and supply the resources including adequate PPEs against Covid-19 and salaries that allow them to live above the poverty line.
Teachers have since 2019 been embarking on industrial action to force the government to restore their 2018 salaries that were around US$500.
As of the 1st of September, Zimbabwe had over 120 000 confirmed coronavirus infections and over 4 400 deaths.
More: VOA Studio7; <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/thousands-of-teachers-strike-over-low-salaries-covid-19-concerns/">NewZimbabwe</a>

Teachers Strike Over Poor Salaries, Working Conditions

Teachers have said the situation on the ground suggests that schools would not open any time soon while the government is saying plans for re-opening are at an advanced stage.
Teachers want school re-opening deferred to August or until the COVID-19 infections have gone down.
They speak as the country is experiencing a coronavirus resurgence fuelled by the contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus that was first discovered in India.
Schools were scheduled to re-open on the 28th of June but the opening was deferred by two weeks following a surge in new coronavirus infections.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said it is suicidal to allow the schools to re-open when COVID-19 cases are going up. He said:
<blockquote>_Pragmatism and realism must triumph over vapid and vacuous wishful thinking._
_The reality on the ground is that schools would not open any time soon. All tertiary institutions have suspended face-to-face learning._
_At any rate, we have minors in schools that cannot fully comprehend the impact of COVID-19. If we have closed institutions used by adults, how can we open schools where there are kids?_
_We are also aware that schools do not have COVID-19 abatement equipment, and money allocated to assist schools has not filtered to schools, while standard operation procedures have not been followed._
_Put succinctly, teachers and pupils are not immune to COVID-19 and their health and safety must be prioritised._</blockquote>
He added that the government has no capacity to test all 136 000 teachers, ancillary staff and nearly six million pupils.
Zhou’s remarks were echoed by another teacher’s organisation, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe (Artuz) which called on the State to address “teacher incapacitation before thinking of reopening schools.
The union said teachers should receive pre-October 2018 salaries.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/07/defer-schools-opening-teachers/">NewsDay</a>

Teachers: Schools Will Not Open Any Time Soon

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