. . . PTUs President Zhou calls for binding collective bargaining as workers prepare to commemorate May Day
Staff Writer
HARARE – On the eve of Workers’ Day, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has issued a sweeping set of demands to the government, including a basic salary of US$540 per month and an end to what its president describes as “collective begging” under an archaic labour law.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s May Day commemorations, PTUZ President Takavafira Zhou said the union joins workers nationally, regionally, continentally, and globally in celebrating workers’ struggles dating back to the 17th century, particularly the historic achievement of the eight-hour day.
“May Day serves as a Global Day of Solidarity for workers to demand fair wages, better working conditions and recognise labour rights,” Zhou said.
However, his message quickly turned to the specific grievances of Zimbabwe’s teachers, whom he said have been stripped of their status and dignity.
The Salary Demand
Zhou laid out a detailed compensation package that the union believes would restore teachers’ dignity:
- US$540 per month as a basic salary
- 30% of basic salary as rural and hardship allowance
- US200–US200–US300 as housing allowance
- US$150 as transport allowance
- US$100 as education allowance
He also demanded the payment of allowances for Early Childhood Development (ECD) responsibilities, class teacher duties, bloated classes, composite classes, and other responsibilities, insisting these must be paid in a “stable functional currency.”
‘Collective Begging’ vs Binding Collective Bargaining
One of the most pointed criticisms from the PTUZ president targeted the legal framework governing public sector negotiations. Zhou reminded the government of what he called the workers’ right to binding collective bargaining under Section 65 of the Constitution.
“We remind the government of our right to binding collective bargaining under section 65 of the Constitution as opposed to the current collective begging under an archaic, rusty and obsolete Statutory Instrument 141 of 1997,” Zhou charged.
He called on the government to respect International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which Zimbabwe has ratified, and further urged the ratification and domestication of ILO Conventions 151, 154, and 156.
Outrage Over Job Evaluation
Zhou condemned as “shambolic, callous and unilateral” a recent job evaluation exercise carried out by the Public Service Commission (PSC). He said the union would continue to fight against what he termed “one armed banditry reduction” of teachers from grades E and D, who have been lumped into grade C3.
“This is in total disregard and disrespect of their qualifications, years in service, responsibility and promotion,” he said.
Corruption Allegations in Housing Schemes
The PTUZ president also raised concerns about corruption in housing schemes run by the Public Service Commission since the 1990s. He alleged that civil servants had been fleeced over a long period, depriving them of their right to shelter.
Call for Collective Action
Zhou urged workers across Zimbabwe to set aside union divisions and fight together for better salaries and conditions of service in 2026.
“We need to collectively fight as brothers and sisters or else we will perish as fools,” he warned.
Brain Drain ‘Bleeding All Professions’
The union leader expressed deep concern over the high level of brain drain affecting both the public and private sectors in Zimbabwe.
“We note with concern the high level of brain drain in both public and private sectors in Zimbabwe that is bleeding all professions in Zimbabwe and retarding development, be it teachers, lecturers, engineers, nurses, medical doctors, etc.,” Zhou said.
He called upon the government to make an “urgent and permanent intervention” to redress the scourge and to foster what he termed “brain circulation”—the movement of skilled professionals into rather than out of the country.
Taxation Complaints
Zhou drew a sharp historical parallel in his criticism of Zimbabwe’s tax regime. “We are worried about the myriad of taxes reminiscent of the Rhodesian regime that are saddling the general populace and workers in independent Zimbabwe,” he said.
He called for a reduction of taxes and an increase in tax-free thresholds to offer relief to workers and the general populace.
A Warning on Industrial Harmony
In his concluding remarks, Zhou struck a cautionary tone about the consequences of continued government inaction.
“Well paid and resourced teachers is a must for quality public education,” he said. “Meaningful engagement with workers and logical disputation foster industrial harmony and productivity. Unilateralism and prevarication breed industrial disharmony that dilute productivity.”
He added: “Only intrinsically motivated, dynamic and industrious workers can foster sustainable development of a nation. It is imperative therefore for the government to seriously consider the welfare of its workers in the best interest of service delivery.”
As workers prepare to mark May Day across the country, PTUZ’s demands place teachers’ compensation and labour rights firmly at the centre of this year’s commemorations.
Whether the government will respond to the union’s call for a move from “collective begging” to binding collective bargaining remains to be seen.
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