ARTUZ Calls for Nationwide Teacher’s Strike Over Pay

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has announced a nationwide strike action planned for March 28, 2025, demanding a cost of living adjustment to teachers’ salaries.

The union cites the government’s failure to conduct a quarterly salary review as the primary reason for the protest.

By Vongai Masuka

In a press release, ARTUZ has announced that the government has ignored calls for salary adjustments despite the rising cost of living.
“The government also continues to undermine genuine collective bargaining by negotiating through the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC),an unconstitutional platform dominated by yellow unions that do not represent the real interests of workers. These co-opted leaders receive incentives to suppress civil servant’s demands, leaving teachers without a legitimate voice in salary negotiations.” Reads the statement.

The union highlighted the financial hardships faced by teachers, with the lowest-paid educators earning approximately USD 300, an amount deemed insufficient to cover basic needs.

ARTUZ is advocating for a minimum wage of USD 1,260 for teachers.

ARTUZ also urged teachers to bypass these unions and engage in direct action to demand fair wages.

Concerns raised by some teachers about the strike coinciding with calls from war veterans for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation were addressed by ARTUZ, which emphasized its non-partisan stance and focus on teachers’ economic welfare. “Our fight is for fair wages regardless of who is in power.

“Zimbabwe’s economic crisis is rooted in corruption and mismanagement. ARTUZ notes the widespread allegations of corruption against government officials, particularly those involved in illicit weath accumulation, the so-called “Zvigananda”, the statement read.
ARTUZ called for investigations into these allegations and stressed the need for proper management of national resources to ensure fair wages for teachers.

ARTUZ has issued a demand for an immediate salary review before March 28, 2025, warning that teachers will proceed with the strike action if this demand is not met.