After weeks of offering carrots to its restive Public Servants in an effort to avoid industrial disruption, Zimbabwe’s Government has resorted to the stick, with suspension notices issued to striking teachers.
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) confirmed that its members had started receiving suspension letters.
“Zimta has started receiving suspension letters. All efforts are being and will be made to protect the interests of our members,” President of the Association, Richard Gundani (pictured) said in a statement.
This came as the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), which comprises the Government and the Public Servants’ representative body, the Apex Council, met in Harare.
Earlier, the Department of Treasury announced a 20 per cent salary increase for all Public Servants, an additional $US100 ($A140) cash allowance and relief from school fees for the children of teachers.
While most Public Servants seemed ready to accept the offer, teachers, among the most militant of Public Servants, remained on strike.
The Treasury said that teachers would benefit from payment of school fees by the Government for up to three children per teaching family, with the fees to be paid directly to the school.
Public Service unions have urged the Government to reverse the suspension of teachers that failed to report to work, saying they would not sign up to the agreement while the suspensions remained in place.
They also demanded the Government bring back the effective date of implementation of the US$100 pay package from 1 March to 1 January 2022, as well as extending the school fees benefit to the rest of the Public Service.
Harare, 15 February 2022
