The Zimbabwean government has again failed to pay its employees on time, marking the second consecutive month of delayed salary payments. This latest failure leaves civil servants, including teachers, facing further hardship as the Christmas holiday approaches, New Zimbabwe has reported.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has strongly condemned the government’s actions, highlighting the already precarious financial situation of its members.
Most civil servants expected their salaries to be credited to their accounts this week, but the funds have yet to materialise. This follows a similar situation in November, where some teachers and other government workers experienced delays in receiving their Zimbabwean dollar (ZiG) payments, while the US dollar component of their salaries and bonuses remained unpaid.
ARTUZ, in a social media post this Wednesday, painted a stark picture of the situation, stating, “For the second month in a row, the Zimbabwean government has failed to pay civil servants’ salaries on time. Civil servants are already earning paltry salaries and are battling to make ends meet. Festive season was struck off the calendar of government workers way back. Unfortunately, the late payment of salaries adds a new layer of pain to the exploited government employees. Failing to meet the basics for survival when others are swimming in plenty is torturous.”
The union alleges a stark contrast between the financial struggles of ordinary civil servants and the apparent prosperity of senior government officials. ARTUZ claims that top bureaucrats have already received their substantial US dollar bonuses and are now enjoying holidays with their families.
The union’s statement adds a critical edge, suggesting that this apparent prosperity is a direct result of the suppression of dissent among poorly paid public servants.
“Senior government officials have since received their big perks in United States dollars. The majority of these elites are now on holiday with their families claiming to be resting from a busy year. Indeed it was a busy year for them. Looting from the impoverished is not an easy job. Working round the clock to silence the oppressed and disenfranchised majority is not an easy task. But as they rest they should be assured that the underpaid civil servants will not be silenced forever,” the statement reads.
The delayed payments are particularly concerning given the approaching festive season, adding another layer of difficulty to the already challenging circumstances faced by many civil servants. The meagre salaries, often insufficient to cover basic living expenses, are further strained by the unpredictable payment schedules.
ARTUZ represents teachers who are demanding a significant salary increase, from an average of US$300 per month to US$1 260. The union has warned that the government’s continued failure to address the concerns of its employees will lead to further action. The union’s statement leaves no room for doubt regarding their resolve.
“We are not in the habit of making empty threats. The anger from the civil servants is reaching the boiling point. 2025 will be a difficult year for those who steal from the poor. We will organize and demand fair wages paid on time,” ARTUZ declared.
The union’s frustration is palpable, reflecting the widespread discontent among civil servants who feel neglected and undervalued by their employer. The delayed salaries are not just a financial issue; they represent a broader failure to address the needs and concerns of a vital segment of the Zimbabwean workforce.
