TEACHERS have rejected the $100 salary advance offered to them by government, accusing their employer of negotiating in bad faith after the money started reflecting in their bank accounts yesterday before they had made consultations on the matter.
Government on Monday promised its restive workers $100 transport money after failing to pay the June salaries due to depleted revenue streams.
Teachers’ union leaders yesterday reacted angrily after the money reflected in their accounts, a day after Public Service minister Prisca Mupfumira announced the offer.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu said the “ground was swelling with anger” over government’s decision to deposit the money into members’ accounts before the parties reached an agreement.
“We are actually in a meeting with female teachers from across the country. They are very upset by the government proposal. We will make further consultations, but the indication now is a total rejection of the government offer.”
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou also said his members had rejected the government offer.
He said the offer was premised on making the teachers report for work and overlooked many things such as food for the family and servicing accounts that will accumulate interest.
He said all workers’ representatives would meet on Saturday to map the way forward as government’s position did not inspire any confidence.
The Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) said: “In light of this, as RTUZ, instead of wasting time attending meaningless monologues disguised as meetings, we will be mobilising for our July 1, 2016 demonstration for our salaries. On July 1, we will bring business to a standstill at the Ministry of Finance as we demand our monies.”-Newsday
