State university employees go on strike
Zimbabwe State University Staff Association has declared that it’s members are incapacitated to report for duty with immediate effect.
In a letter seen by Community Podium addressed to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development the association registered it’s displeasure over slow pace by government to review their salaries and cost of living adjustments that have been underway from march 2020.
“State University Association representatives met in the Honourable Minister’s board room to follow up on the negotiations regarding salary review and cost of living adjustments that have been underway from March 2020” read the letter.
Surprisingly, the Honourable Minister Professor Amon Murwira was not willing to meet State University staff associations’ representatives as usual.
The association revealed that, he preferred to summon one member to his office and indicated that government was working on conditions of service for University workers.
“He showed disinterest in the issues brought to him. He reiterated that State University workers must exercise patience, trust and collegiality or pack their bags”
He also mentioned that the university employees should patiently wait for the outcome of APEX negotiations currently underway which he intends to use as a yard stick.
Regrettably, the Minister has abandoned the agreed regional parity position.
The letter was signed by eleven state universities namely University of Zimbabwe, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe Open University, Midlands State University, Lupane State University, Bindura University, Marondera State University ,Great Zimbabwe University, Harare Institute of Technology & Gwanda State University.
