Zim teachers threaten strike

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Harare - Zimbabwe's teachers on Wednesday vowed to go on strike when the new school term begins next week after government reneged on a pledge to increase their salaries.

"There has not been any concrete response to address the issue of teachers' salaries," Tendai Chikowore, president of the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association said.

"We issued an ultimatum to the minister to say if the issues of remuneration of teachers are not addressed before schools open, teachers will not report for work."

Teachers in state schools earn 100 US dollars a month, which they say is too little.

"We want a salary that will enable us to meet our basic needs and pay our own children's fees. In the absence of that the government can at least waive school fees for children of teachers."

More tangible reforms

Schoolteachers returned to work in February following the creation of a unity government, after striking since early last year to demand payment in foreign currency to cope with galloping inflation.

Education Minister David Coltart, who took office when the Movement for Democratic Change joined the government, had agreed to review their demands while seeking international aid.

The unity government is seeking $8.5bn over three years to revive the economy and restore public services, including schools and hospitals.

Major donors have been reluctant to give new aid until the government makes more tangible reforms to break from President Robert Mugabe's past policies, which are blamed for wrecking the economy and trampling human rights.

The International Monetary Fund is set to discuss Zimbabwe next week, but Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged donors not to give development aid until the government ends ongoing rights abuses.

- AFP