Eyewitness News
1 September 2009
Zimbabwe’s school term starts on Wednesday but the main teacher’s union has called for a strike over low pay.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti pleaded with teachers to be patient until the country’s economy improved.
The strike was called by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA).
ZIMTA was reluctant to strike under President Robert Mugabe’s ministers but with the Movement for Democratic Change Minister David Coltart in place, ZIMTA has become more militant.
Union leader Tendai Chikowore said teachers were living in poverty with a salary of around R1 500 a month.
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, which is closer to the MDC, said its members would not strike.
Union head Raymond Majongwe believes government does not have money to hike salaries.
Teachers have told Eyewitness News many were getting their salaries topped up by parents and may be less willing to embark on a strike.