The government did not send the money deducted from teachers’ paychecks to their unions last month, causing financial problems for the unions.
Normally, the government sends these funds to the unions on the same day teachers receive their salaries.
However, in December 2024, the unions reported that the money was not sent, leaving them unable to pay their staff or cover other expenses. Teachers got their salaries on December 17.
Each month, teachers pay a subscription fee of about US$8 to US$10, which is taken directly from their salaries by the Salary Service Bureau (SSB).
Earlier this week, SSB Paymaster TwoBoy Shoko confirmed to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200036542/govt-fails-to-remit-teacher-union-funds">NewsDay</a> that the payment had not been made yet. Said Shoko:
<blockquote>
I am processing the payments. They should be receiving the funds tomorrow.
Those who complained that they haven’t received the fund do not have the facts.
I am actually working on the payments.
</blockquote>
In November and December 2024, the government also delayed paying teachers the part of their salary that is in local currency.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The government didn't send money from teachers' salaries to their unions last month. This caused financial problems for the unions. They couldn't pay their staff or cover expenses. Normally, the government sends this money on the same day teachers get paid. Teachers pay a subscription fee of about US$8 to US$10 each month that is deducted from their salaries by the Salary Service Bureau. The government also delayed paying teachers their local currency part of the salary in November and December 2024. The Paymaster said the unions will get their money soon.

Teacher Unions Face Financial Crisis After Payment Delay By Government

Teachers in Zimbabwe have faced a setback in pursuing better salaries after the High Court dismissed their application for improved working conditions, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200033364/teachers-suffer-setback-in-salary-demands">NewsDay</a>.
Several teachers’ unions brought the case, including the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and Educators Union of Zimbabwe.
The unions had sued the government over poor salaries and working conditions.
They cited the Public Service Commission, which established the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), through the Public Service Act responsible for determining salaries and working conditions.
They also cited President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ministers Mthuli Ncube (Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion), Ziyambi Ziyambi (Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs), July Moyo (Public Service and Social Welfare) and Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza as respondents.
In their application, the unions, represented by Matika, Gwisai and Partners argued that the NJNC violated their rights to collective bargaining.
They sought a declaratory order based on section 85(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees this right. 
However, High Court Judge Justice Lucy Mungwari dismissed their application. Ruled Justice Mungwari:
<blockquote>
Put simply, the respondents allege that the applicants did not plead any consequential or tangible benefit they would obtain from such a declaration.
There is no dispute between or among these parties. The contestation raised is academic. The applicants do not allege that the respondents have in any way barred them from exercising the rights conferred by the particular sections of the Constitution which they cite.
They cannot base their motion for the declaration of constitutional invalidity of the said sections on an academic apprehension. If the court were to grant the order they seek, it will be nothing but an order in the abstract.
</blockquote>
Justice Mungwari ruled that the applicants needed to provide additional arguments if they wished for the court to consider their case. She said:
<blockquote>
They ought to have shown that they are embroiled in a wrangle with the respondents who have refused to abide by what they perceive as their constitutional rights.
They did not plead a tangible benefit that they would obtain from the granting of the order that they seek. 
There is no background dispute against which the constitutionality and invalidity of the impugned provisions is anchored.
The applicants’ application be and is hereby dismissed in its entirety.
</blockquote>
The teachers contended that they were denied their right to a collective bargaining process.
In 2022, civil servants abandoned the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) after years of unproductive meetings aimed at negotiating salaries and working conditions.
At that time, they demanded at least US$540 for the lowest-paid workers, a request which the government did not fulfil.
Currently, they seek US$1,260 due to rising living costs, exacerbated by the depreciation of the local currency, the ZiG.
In July 2022, teachers’ unions under the banner Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union withdrew from the NJNC, citing its failure to uphold labour rights as guaranteed in section 65(1) of the national Constitution.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Teachers in Zimbabwe wanted better salaries, but the High Court said no. The teachers' unions sued the government over poor pay and working conditions. They said the government violated their right to collective bargaining. The court dismissed their case because they didn't show a tangible benefit. The teachers have been struggling to negotiate for better pay since 2022. They want higher salaries because of rising living costs. The court ruled that the teachers needed to show more evidence for their case.

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