Meet Our Demands First: ARTUZ
Pauline Chateuka
After government announced that schools are to reopen on 15th March starting with exam writing classes, teacher’ unions have vowed their members will not to report for work unless their employer meets their demands of improved salaries and working conditions.
In an interview with Community Radio Harare, Amalgamated Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) President Obert Masaraure said that as long as government remains adamant and fails to attend to teachers’ grievances, there would be a huge problem and teachers won’t return to work due to incapacitation.
“We are demanding a basic salary of USD $520 or its equivalent in local currency, but government insists that it has no capacity to pay in foreign currency or the equivalent in local currency, hence we are surprised that the government has decided to open up schools without capacitating
teachers” said Obert Masaraure ARTUZ President.
Schools have been closed due to the COVID-19 induced breaks. Teachers have also requested government to follow World Health Organization stipulated guidelines before opening schools pointing out that schools may become COVID 19 hotspots if regulations are not met.
Meanwhile parents applaud government for releasing the 2021 school calendar saying they were now worried about their children who are supposed to write exams.
