ARTUZ plans a protest on March 28, 2025, demanding salary reviews due to poor pay amid rising living costs. With current salaries around US$300, the union seeks a minimum of US$1,260. The strike aims to unite teachers for equitable wages, remaining non-partisan despite coinciding with a war veterans’ protest.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has announced plans for a protest on March 28, 2025, to express dissatisfaction with inadequate salaries. The union accuses the government of failing to adjust salaries in response to the increasing cost of living. ARTUZ has warned of nationwide mass action if the government does not address their demands by the specified date.
In a statement, ARTUZ urged all teachers to initiate a strike on March 28, 2025, due to the government’s neglect of salary adjustments despite previous commitments. The union highlighted that civil servants’ salaries have typically been reviewed quarterly, yet this practice has been ignored as the first quarter of 2025 comes to an end.
Currently, the lowest-paid teachers earn approximately US$300, which is insufficient for meeting basic needs such as education and healthcare. ARTUZ is advocating for salaries to be adjusted to a minimum of US$1,260. The planned strike coincides with a protest by war veterans on March 31, which calls for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation, although ARTUZ insists their objectives are strictly salary-related.
The union emphasized the importance of the March 28 strike as a platform for teachers to unite in the pursuit of equitable wages, free from outside political influences. They assured that their movement is non-partisan and solely focused on enhancing the economic conditions for teachers, irrespective of the current administration. Additionally, nurses at Sally Mugabe Hospital have recently protested against their poor salaries and working conditions.
In conclusion, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe is set to strike on March 28, 2025, due to unsatisfactory salaries and the government’s inaction amidst rising living costs. With teachers facing significant financial hardships, the demand for a salary review to a minimum of US$1,260 is pressing. The union is committed to a non-partisan approach, emphasizing that their actions center on securing fair wages for educators.
Original Source: allafrica.com
