More than 10,000 workers in Zimbabwe’s state universities today downed their tools and stayed at home following the government’s failure to pay February salaries and outstanding 2014 bonuses.
Readforward Dube, president of the Zimbabwe Universities and Allied Workers’ Union, told VOA Studio 7 all academic and non-academic staff withdrew their services early this morning, forcing the universities to ground to a halt.
Dube said they will only go back to work if their grievances are met though government officials informed them last Friday that Zimbabwe does not have money to pay them.
Senior officials at several state universities refused to comment and referred all questions to the ministries of higher education and finance.
Higher Education Minister Oppah Muchinguri and Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa were not available for comment as they were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.
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Interview With Readforward Dube on Zimbabwe State University Strikes