Teachers blast Govt’s ‘Deceptive and Politic’ Salary Increment Crusade

Zimbabwe Teachers Unions have accused the government of being an unfaithful partner after it emerged that the rumored salary hike is actually a COVID-19 allowance which is now being effected on payday contrary to the previous arrangement.

By Tongai Mwenje and Leona Mandengu

In June, the government introduced a flat non-taxable US$75 Covid-19 allowance for all civil servants which also saw a 50% increase in their monthly salaries.

This was however a stopgap to manage the restive teachers which was supposed to last for only three months.

The COVID-19 allowance was not part of their salary, but a cushioning allocation.

Now the government has announced that the COVID-19 allowance which was initially paid separately will with immediate effect accompany monthly salaries.

“COVID19 allowances for September is being paid today going forward the USD COVID19 allowance will be paid on pay days.”

“This means the least paid worker is now earning ZWL 11 350.15 while a teacher at entry grade earns ZWL 12591.15. The USD 75 allowance is indexed to the prevailing RBZ foreign exchange auction-rate,” Public Service Commission Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said in a statement on Wednesday.

Cognizance of the government’s politic gesture, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe said via Twitter: “ This is joke the government intends to deceive the whole world into believing that they adjusted our salaries , to contrary they simply added current teacher income to COVID19 allowances and announced the total figure. Teachers have been earning the same inadequate income since July.”

Progressive Teachers Union Of Zimbabwe also weighed in “ Same difference the announcement is actually hot air the deception won’t work our members remain incapacitate the $75 deposited into our members’ accounts changes nothing still a gulf between our minimum demands and gvt’s insult issued today Amanda!!!!”.

Teachers have vowed not to resume classes until their demands of USD$520 monthly salaries are met.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has announced that the Poverty Datum Line is now at ZWL$20 000.