An organisation fighting for the plight of teachers has written a letter notifying the Public Service Commission of incapacitation of educationists as prices continue going up.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Secretary-General Raymond Majongwe requests a radical adjustment of teachers’ salaries to the last USD salary paid, at the current interbank rate, that is pegged at 15.8.
“We hereby give our notice of incapacitation, and with effect from Monday the 21st of October 2019 our members will be reporting for duty twice a week at most,” Majongwe says.
The Secretary-General went on to advise and notify the chairman that because of the plight, teachers “will no longer abide by Strict Dress Code Rules as the little pittance they are getting is not adequate to feed them and their families, let alone buy formal clothing.”
PTUZ also says Zimbabwean teachers are also failing to send their own kids to schools even when they are offering education.
“Prices of basic goods and services have rocketed beyond the reach of the ordinary teacher. As you are no doubt aware, our members are struggling to put food on the table.”
“Unbearable transport, food and medical costs have even accentuated the teachers’ plight.”
“Teachers are failing to send their own kids to school, even where they are teaching,” explains Majongwe.
Workers have been mounting pressure on government lately with inflation eroding salaries.
Doctors are on industrial action demanding a pay rise whilst other medical supporting staff reduced working days to three days a week.