Cdes our employer has consistently ignored our call for a salary review in line with prevailing economic realities. Instead of giving us a salary review we are receiving deaths threats, our leaders and members are being harassed by state agents. They hope to induce fear amongst us and bully us into submission. The question is are we ready to stand up against this brutal regime and boldly declare NO TO SLAVE WAGES!
The RTGS currency has been heavily eroded, the black market rate is now above 1:8 to the United States Dollar. Cabinet approved that all contracts which were denominated in United States Dollars before the promulgation of SI 33 of 2019 should be paid using the interbank rate. Cdes our salaries were negotiated in United States dollars and were paid in such since 2009. It follows that our current salaries should either be paid in hard currency or interbank rate equivalent. This is an unavoidable reality.
Prof Mthuli continues to deny the fact that salaries should be negotiated using USD rates. Such an assertion exposes his evil intentions of stealing our wages. Prices of goods and services are pegged using the prevailing rates because we are heavily relying on imports. Denying us salaries in line with interbank rates is both cruel and criminal.
The average teacher is earning 500 RTGS after deductions. This is an equivalent of US$ 62.50. A big slash from the US$ 500 we used to earn before the current currency crisis. A teacher can no longer afford to buy pair of shoes monthly let alone footing medical bills and other needs. We are worse off than someone receiving a government welfare grant in South Africa.
When we raise these legitimate issues we are harassed, tortured, incarcerated and threatened with death. State spies are visiting our leaders countrywide and harassing them in front of learners.
The State wants to silence us and annihilate our Union. We have to make a choice, either we remain silent and face the consequences of eternal poverty or Stand up against tyranny and labour injustice.
We have been labeled cowards and a docile lot. The government’s arrogance stems from the assumption that they can get away with anything with the teachers. They have taken away our food, our healthcare, our education and indeed our livelihoods. We have not stopped from providing service, we still work tirelessly against these difficult odds.
On the 3rd of June let’s defy the odds and speak with one voice. Let’s withdraw our labour and send a clear message that we love our profession but we deserve to be treated as human beings. We are receiving worse treatment than Sekesai Nzenza’s dogs. Her dogs eat customized meals and have health care insurance paid in US dollars. We can’t afford healthcare for our children neither can we afford decent meals for our families.
Fear is usually born out of ignorance of the consequences of your actions. In February we all tasted what the government can do to us when we engage in a job action. They will not pay us for those days, “NO work No pay.” Cdes if we are not going to be paid for 3 days is that a big loss? Remember the monthly income is already paltry what of the 3 days income? This is the time to sacrifice and push for a better deal. We should tell Sekesai and Mthuli that we are not afraid of the No work no pay principle, we are not being paid after all.
Some have complained that three days are not sufficient. Cdes are pushing for an indefinite strike, let’s begin with the three days and change tactics as we go.
3-5 June we withdraw our labour protesting against underpayment.
No pay No work!
NotoSlaveWages
ARTUZ Presidium.