By Staff Reporter
THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has petitioned International Labour Organisation (ILO) chief Karen Curtis over poor salaries.
In a letter dated June 11, 2025, addressed to Karen Curtis, ILO chief — Freedom of Association Branch — Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) stressed its disappointment with government’s lack of urgency in addressing the educators’ grievances.
“We note with disappointment that the government seems not to be taking this matter seriously,” Artuz leader Obert Masaraure stated.
“To date, the only feedback we have received was an informal call from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, ZCTU, requesting us to propose two conciliators for the process.
“This request was made on 21 March 2025 and to date we have not received any feedback on progress despite our efforts to inquire through the ZCTU.”
“We were hopeful that by now we could have engaged and resolved the raised complaint and subsequent issues that arose post filing the complaint.”
Curtis acknowledged receipt of the letter and pledged to facilitate dialogue between the union and the government.
“I acknowledge receipt of your communication dated 11 June, 2025 by which you forward additional information relating to the complaint of infringement of trade union rights which was presented by your organisation against the government Zimbabwe,” Curtis said in response.
“In accordance with the procedure in force, the contents of your communication will be transmitted to government for its observations thereon.”
Masaraure complained that educators were facing systematic persecution for demanding redress to their grievances.
“On 12 May, 2025, suspected State agents broke into our offices ahead of a planned legitimate job action. The intruders dismantled office surveillance equipment and went through files kept at the office,” Masaraure claimed.
“On 24 April, 2025, the Zimbabwe Republic Police blocked the hosting of the elective congress of the union. The congress was only allowed to proceed on condition that the union agreed to allow seven police officers to join all the proceedings of the programme.”
Early this week, nine Artuz members were arrested in Mutare, Manicaland province, after participating in a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday.
The group delivered a petition to PSC after the mini-protest.
Artuz condemned the arrest of its members saying it was in violation of section 59 of the Constitution which speaks to the right to peaceful petitioning and demonstration.
“Artuz will be engaging the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the International Labour Organisation to register this gross abuse of human and workers’ rights,” Artuz said.
The Parents Teachers Association joined Artuz in calling for the immediate release of the detained teachers.
Credit- AMH
