University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers have vowed to continue their strike, saying there has been zero effort from the government to address their salary grievances, despite earlier assurances from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson.
Last week, presidential spokesperson George Charamba said he would escalate the lecturers’ concerns to relevant authorities. But the Association of University Teachers (AUT) insists nothing has come of it.
“Nothing has changed since the comment alleged to be from presidential spokesperson Mr Charamba.
“Even that communication we are still waiting for it to come formally. Nothing as yet.
“Hence, we are still in the trenches. The strike is indefinite,” AUT spokesperson Obvious Vengeyi told NewZimbabwe.com.
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Lecturers are demanding their salaries be raised to US$2,250, a figure they say aligns with what their counterparts in the region are earning.
Currently, they earn less than US$250 and ZiG6,000, a package they say leaves them in “extreme poverty.”
They accuse the university and government of dragging their feet for over 18 months, leading to a deadlock.
“Despite prolonged engagement over 18 months, the employer and the minister have failed to meet AUT’s demands or make any reasonable alternative offer, resulting in the issuance of a Certificate of No Settlement.
“The dispute remains unresolved, and lecturers and their families are languishing in extreme poverty, with a net monthly salary of less than US$250 and ZiG6,000—a sum from which the employer harshly and unfairly expects employees to subsidise it by providing personal property as tools of work, including laptops, smartphones, data, and transport to and from work,” read a letter from the lecturers.
In protest, lecturers have pulled out of meetings, invigilations, and exam marking, vowing to stay off duty until their demands are met.
