Civil servants’ unions say they will soon meet the government to resolve the non-payment of salaries of more than 3,000 teachers, last month.
According to the Ministry of Education, they did not receive their July salaries because they were reportedly absent at their work stations when the state conducted an audit in April, which was meant to weed-out ghost workers.
The unions, which include the Public Service Association, Zimbabwe Teachers Association, and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, argue that the affected teachers were on approved leave at the time of the audit.
Public Service Association president, John Tagara, says this development has worsened the plight of the affected teachers, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“These are people’s lives, people with school-going children. If they cannot receive their salaries, how are they expected to survive?”
Tagara added that the affected teachers are being denied their rights and the unions are looking forward to the meeting, where they expect the government to explain plans for addressing the problem.