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Education International
Education International

Zimbabwe: Teachers take industrial action to force government to pay salaries

published 8 July 2016 updated 2 August 2016

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association has engaged in a nationwide industrial action, joining other public services organisations in defending workers’ trade union rights in their country.

Confronted with ongoing delays in salary payment, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), both affiliated to Education International (EI), joined other civil service unions in observing a three-day stay-away industrial action from 5-7 July, the latter being the day educators will be paid after an 11-day delay.

ILO concerns

“This industrial action results from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) observations and concerns, expressed at June’s 105th session of the International Labour Convention,” said ZIMTA National Secretary General John Mulilo.

Zimbabwe has not fulfilled its ILO requirements regarding the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike in the public service sector, “despite clear constitutional provisions” guaranteeing these freedoms, he said.