Zimbabwe Suspend Teachers Who Are Striking Over Poor Pay

Zimbabwe’s education ministry has suspended staff who did not turn up for the start of the school term, February 7.

A large number of government-employed teachers are on strike over poor wages.

The ministry said, the absent teachers were suspended for three months without pay with immediate effect while investigations into misconduct took place.

The academic year started on Monday after a month-long break because of Covid lockdown restrictions.

The average teacher earns just under $200 (£150) a month using the official exchange rate, and less than $100 at the black-market exchange rate used widely for goods and services.

The unions are calling for a minimum wage of $540.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the government announced a 20% wage rise for all civil servants, including a payment in foreign currency of $100 a month.