Split as some Zimbabwe teachers end pay strike

 Zimbabwe’s largest teachers’ union, Zimta, says most of its members are returning to work after it called off a strike over poor wages.

Teachers are demanding salaries of $540 (£400) – two to three times more than what many earn now. The government has offered a 20% rise as well as a one-off bonus of $100, among other incentives.

Other teachers’ unions have vowed to continue the work stoppage until all their demands are met.

Among them are the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe which continues to strike, it called the government’s three-month suspension on all striking workers “illegal” and is challenging it in court.

All of Zimbabwe’s civil servants have been offered a wage increase, following years of stagnating salaries.

The teachers’ strike began last Monday, as schools opened after a long delay caused by Covid-19 lock-down measures which caused widespread disruption to learning.

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