close
close
newpress

Teachers are breathing fire as the Zimbabwean government has not paid civil servants for the second consecutive month

Posted on by Josh L
Teachers are breathing fire as the Zimbabwean government has not paid civil servants for the second consecutive month

Zimbabwe’s government has once again failed to pay its workers on time, marking the second consecutive month of salary delays. This latest blunder leaves public servants, including teachers, facing new challenges as the Christmas holidays approach, New Zimbabwe reports.

The United Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) strongly condemned the government’s actions, highlighting the already precarious financial situation of its members.

Most civil servants expected their salaries to be credited to their accounts this week, but the funds have yet to arrive. This follows a similar situation in November where some teachers and other civil servants faced delays in receiving their payments in Zimbabwean dollars (ZiG), while the US dollar component of their salaries and bonuses remained unpaid.

ARTUZ, in a social media post this Wednesday, painted a stark picture of the situation, saying: “For the second consecutive month, the government of Zimbabwe has not paid civil servants on time. Civil servants already receive meager salaries and are struggling to make ends meet. The festive season has been crossed off the calendar of civil servants in the past. Unfortunately, the late payment of salaries adds another layer of pain to exploited civil servants. Not being able to meet the basics of survival when others are swimming in abundance is agony.”

The union claims a stark contrast between the financial struggles of ordinary civil servants and the apparent prosperity of senior government officials. ARTUZ claims that senior officials have already received their substantial US dollar bonuses and are now enjoying a vacation with their families.

The union’s statement adds a critical sting, suggesting that this apparent prosperity is a direct result of the suppression of dissent among poorly paid civil servants.

“Since then, high-ranking government officials have been receiving their large emoluments in US dollars. Most of this elite are currently on vacation with their families, who claim to be unwinding after a busy year. Indeed, it was a busy year for them. Robbing the poor is not an easy job. Working around the clock to silence the oppressed and disenfranchised majority is no easy task. But while they are resting, they should be sure that the underpaid civil servants will not be silenced forever,” the message reads.

Payment delays are of particular concern as the festive season approaches, adding another layer of hardship to the already difficult circumstances many public servants face. Meager salaries, often insufficient to cover basic living expenses, are further burdened by unpredictable payment schedules.

ARTUZ represents the interests of teachers demanding a significant salary increase, from an average of $300 per month to $1,260. The union warned that the government’s failure to address the concerns of its workers would lead to further action. The union’s statement leaves no doubt about their determination.

“We are not in the habit of making empty threats. Anger on the part of civil servants reaches a boiling point. The year 2025 will be difficult for those who steal from the poor. We will organize and demand timely payment of fair wages,” ARTUZ said.

The union’s frustration is palpable as it reflects widespread discontent among civil servants who feel neglected and undervalued by their employers. Delayed pay is not just a financial problem; they represent a broader failure to address the needs and concerns of a vital segment of the Zimbabwean workforce.