Teachers Union Demands Fair Pay and Warns of Protests as Civil Servants Endure Second Month of Late Salary Payments
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is demanding fair pay and warning of potential protests as teachers and other civil servants face the second consecutive month of delayed salary payments.
As the festive season draws near, many public workers are left without their expected wages, exacerbating the financial strain on the already underpaid workforce.
Also Read: Thousands of Teachers Go Unpaid: Union Cries Foul Over Missing Salaries
Delayed Payments and Missing Bonuses
The latest delay follows a pattern of recurring issues. Last month, civil servants, particularly teachers, received late payments of their Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) wages. Furthermore, the United States dollar component of their salaries and bonuses has not been credited to their accounts, adding to the growing frustration among the workforce.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) voiced concerns about the dire situation in a post shared on social media this Wednesday seen by New Zimbabwe. They lamented that civil servants, already earning low wages, are struggling to make ends meet as they face yet another round of delays.
The union emphasized that with the festive season fast approaching, many government workers are forced to abandon any hope of enjoying the holidays, as the delay in salary payments adds a painful layer to their financial woes.
“For the second month in a row, the Zimbabwean government has failed to pay civil servants’ salaries on time. Civil servants are already earning paltry salaries and are battling to make ends meet.
Festive season was struck off the calendar of government workers way back. Unfortunately, the late payment of salaries adds a new layer of pain to the exploited government employees. Failing to meet the basics for survival when others are swimming in plenty is torturous,” said ARTUZ.
Teachers Demand Fair Pay and Warn of Protests
ARTUZ, which represents the voices of teachers, called for urgent improvements in both wages and working conditions. The union stated that its members are demanding a minimum of US$1,260 per month, a significant increase from the average US$300 currently being paid.
“We are not in the habit of making empty threats. The anger from the civil servants is reaching the boiling point. 2025 will be a difficult year for those who steal from the poor. We will organize and demand fair wages paid on time,” ARTUZ warned.
Inequality and Alleged Corruption Among Senior Officials
The teachers’ representative body also pointed out a stark contrast in the treatment of senior government officials. ARTUZ accused top bureaucrats of reaping the benefits of a system that has consistently neglected the needs of public service employees.
The union harshly criticized these officials, suggesting that their year had been “busy” not from hard work but from exploiting the impoverished and silencing dissent.
“Senior government officials have since received their big perks in United States dollars. The majority of these elites are now on holiday with their families claiming to be resting from a busy year.
“Indeed it was a busy year for them. Looting from the impoverished is not an easy job. Working round the clock to silence the oppressed and disenfranchised majority is not an easy task. But as they rest they should be assured that the underpaid civil servants will not be silenced forever,” ARTUZ added.
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