Nqobizwe Thebe
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has announced a nationwide strike set for March 28, 2025, following the government’s failure to review teachers’ salaries amid a worsening economic crisis.
The decision comes as teachers decry stagnant wages that fail to keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of living, leaving many struggling to afford basic necessities.
ARTUZ revealed that the government has ignored repeated calls for a salary review, breaking from its tradition of adjusting civil servants’ wages quarterly. With the first quarter of 2025 ending on March 31, teachers are demanding immediate action to address their financial plight. Currently, the lowest-paid teacher earns approximately USD 300 per month, an amount ARTUZ describes as grossly inadequate to cover essential needs such as education, healthcare, and accommodation. The union is pushing for a minimum monthly salary of USD 1,260, which it says is necessary to ensure a decent standard of living for educators.
“Teachers continue to endure extreme financial hardships while their salaries remain stagnant,” ARTUZ stated. “The government’s inaction is a betrayal of its commitment to civil servants.”
ARTUZ also criticized the government for undermining genuine collective bargaining by relying on the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), a platform the union claims is dominated by “yellow unions” that do not represent workers’ interests. According to ARTUZ, these co-opted union leaders receive incentives to suppress civil servants’ demands, leaving teachers without a legitimate voice in salary negotiations.
“The NJNC is an unconstitutional platform that silences the real concerns of workers,” the union said. “We urge all teachers to bypass these compromised unions and confront the employer directly through mass action.”
The planned strike coincides with calls by war veterans for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation, raising concerns about potential political undertones. However, ARTUZ has emphasized its non-partisan stance, stating that its focus remains solely on the economic welfare of teachers.
“Our fight is for fair wages, regardless of who is in power,” the union clarified. “History has shown that leadership changes do not automatically translate to better wages for teachers. After the removal of Robert Mugabe in 2017, teachers’ salaries continued to decline. It is critical to demand fair wages now, from Mnangagwa, and from any future leader.”
ARTUZ also linked Zimbabwe’s economic crisis to widespread corruption and mismanagement, citing allegations of illicit wealth accumulation by government officials, often referred to as “Zvigananda.” The union called on law enforcement agencies to investigate these claims and hold those responsible accountable.
“Teachers will only receive fair wages when national resources are properly managed,” the statement read. “While we recognize the ongoing governance crisis, we do not endorse simply replacing Mnangagwa with another leader. Instead, we call for a Transitional Authority to dismantle Zimbabwe’s neo-colonial state and establish a people-centered government.”
The union further advocated for institutional reforms to ensure state institutions are free from military influence before any future elections are held.
ARTUZ has issued a final demand for an immediate salary review before March 28, 2025. If the government fails to act, teachers across the country will stage mass action to express their frustration and demand justice.
“The March 28 strike is an opportunity for teachers to unite and demand fair wages without interference,” the union concluded. “We will not back down until our voices are heard and our demands are met.”
As the strike deadline approaches, all eyes are on the government to see whether it will address teachers’ grievances or face widespread disruption to the education sector.
