ARTUZ plans a protest on March 28, 2025, demanding a salary review due to inadequate compensation amidst rising living costs. The union insists teachers deserve a living wage of at least US$1,260 while currently earning about US$300. The strike is non-partisan and focuses solely on salary concerns.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is organizing a protest on March 28, 2025, to express dissatisfaction with inadequate salaries. ARTUZ cites the government’s failure to adjust salaries in light of the escalating cost of living as a primary concern. The union is demanding that a salary review be conducted before the specified date, warning of mass actions if their demands are not met.
In its statement, ARTUZ indicated, “ARTUZ is calling on all teachers to down tools on March 28, 2025, in response to the government’s failure to review salaries in line with the rising cost of living.” Historically, the government has reviewed civil servant salaries quarterly, but this pattern has recently been neglected.
Currently, the lowest-paid teacher earns approximately US$300, leading many to struggle with basic expenses like education and healthcare. ARTUZ insists that teachers’ salaries should reflect the reality of their financial hardships, and they should be earning at least US$1,260.
The upcoming strike aligns closely with another protest planned for March 31 by war veterans, calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation. ARTUZ clarified that their strike is solely focused on salary issues, stating, “The March 28 strike is an opportunity for teachers to unite and demand fair wages without interference.”
Despite some concerns regarding the timing of the teachers’ strike coinciding with the veterans’ protest, ARTUZ remains committed to its non-partisan stance, emphasizing economic welfare over political agendas. Concurrently, protests from nurses at Sally Mugabe Hospital regarding poor salaries and working conditions indicate broader unrest within the health and education sectors.
ARTUZ’s planned strike on March 28, 2025, showcases the growing discontent among teachers over stagnant salaries amid rising living costs. With a strong demand for a salary review and a push for equitable compensation, the unity of teachers is vital. Furthermore, the strike’s non-partisan nature emphasizes the focus on economic issues rather than political conflict. This situation reflects a broader trend of unrest regarding public sector salaries in Zimbabwe.
Original Source: allafrica.com
