We’re incapacitated to carry out our duties: Teachers

The Amalgmated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) says that teachers are incapacitated to report for work as the economic situation continue to take a toll on them.

ARTUZ states that they will not be reporting for work until government urgently review their salaries in USD or in local currency in accordance with the prevailing exchange rate.

In a letter addressed to the public service commission on Thursday ARTUZ secretary general Robson Chere said , “ This letter serves to inform you that as ARTUZ members we are incapacitated to report back for duty and survive this harsh economic climate heightened by COVID19.”

“ Our paltry salaries can not sustain us for a whole month or even a week , we hereby declare incapacitation.”

“ We request an urgent review or our salaries in USD or RTGS at the prevailing interbank rate from the government , we urge the employer to come up with an urgent solution to avert our situation.”

The teachers who are currently earning less than ZWL$4,000 an amount failing to sustain them as the economic situation worsens.

While exams classes are set to start next week teachers have said that their salaries have become so low to afford them a basic life.

“ Exam classes are supposed to commence on the 28th of September , we can no longer afford transport to out duty stations , to buy basic food stuffs , to pay rentals , water, electricity bills and other essential services now priced in USD.”

Transport fares have increasingly gone up with the cheaper mode of transport ZUPCO buses charging from ZWL$32 per trip.

While most goods are being priced in USD there is a disparity , while workers earn in local currency through electronic transfers.