The president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Takavifira Zhou, said there was very little money allocated to civil servants in the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review. The PTUZ president said it was likely that teachers would engage in industrial action soon.
“We are still strategising, but the teachers are ready for anything next term,” he said.
Zhou spoke vehemently when he said the country had received certification from the Kimberley Process to sell diamonds from Marange yet there was no indication of what would be done with the proceeds.
“Minister Tendai Biti said there would be no supplementary budget but where will the money go to? It would have been better if there was an indication on how the civil servants will benefit rather than be quiet,” he said.
Zhou said it was depressing that civil servants continued to work for “nothing”.
“The policy seems to have left us out,” he said.
The PTUZ president said that although civil servants had been very consistent, several ghost workers continued to be paid and he urged the Public Service Commission to conduct an accurate audit to deal with the problem.
Workers had on numerous occasions challenged the treasury to consider their
wages and were now appealing to the three principals to look into their predicament.
“We have interrogated the minister of finance a number of times. It’s unfortunate that despite elements of improvement in the country’s system, civil servants continue to suffer,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) and Apex Council chairperson, Tendai Chikowore, said nothing had been done to discuss the way forward concerning civil servants salaries.
“Apex failed to hold the meeting because all the units that were supposed to attend were coordinating other events,” she admitted.
Two weeks back, the Apex council chairperson said the council was to meet and discuss the way forward after the government failed to award a salary increment. This was revealed when civil servants expressed their displeasure after the presentation of the Mid -Term Fiscal Policy Review.
Chikowore however said the meeting would proceed at a date convenient for
everyone. The Apex chairperson said the agenda was “obviously” going to be the lack of salary increments.
“We will discuss the Mid -Term Fiscal Policy Review. That is to be our main
issue,” she said.
The minister of education, Senator David Coltart, said he maintained constant contact with the teachers unions, and said that they were aware of the development in the ministry’s strategic plan.
“The priority is to address teachers’ service and working conditions. Periodically, I contact the unions bilaterally or individually. The solution is to improve not just their money but working conditions,” he said.
On the issue of whether proceeds from Marange diamond mine will boost funding for the country’s education, Minister Coltart said it was impossible for one mine to fund the whole education sector.
“Natural resources have to benefit a majority of people not just a small clique of people or teachers only. If we use resources properly we will have more in the Government coffers to support everyone,” he said.
Post published in: Politics