By Dr Takavafira Zhou
The recent extension of equivalent of US$75 covid 19 allowance did nothing other than registering an accomplished fact in light of the fact that the pandemic is running riot in schools. What is however welcome is the reassurance that aides of teachers living with disability will receive their covid 19 allowance backdated to June 2020. This had become a contentious issue as govt had failed to make it a reality in spite of numerous promises.
We however want to make it categorically clear without any equivocation or ambiguity that the quantum of salary + covid 19 allowance that leave many teachers at $14000 is still far low than a realistic living wage that in October 2018 was ranging between US$520 and US$550. We therefore, as Ptuz, urge gvt to serious engage teacher unions in meaningful dialogue over a living wage. Nothing short of restoring teachers’ purchasing power parity would do justice to teachers’ dispute of right.
Currently, several teachers as front line fighters have been infected by covid 19. Our warped 2020 decision to reopen schools without testing teachers and pupils has contributed greatly to escalation of covid 19 cases in schools. Worse still teachers are failing to access the gvt assistance given to covid 19 positive workers. We urge gvt to expedite benefits to infected teachers so that they can easy their struggle to survive.
Over and above, we reiterate that only meaningful dialogue, as opposed to collective begging under Apex Council, can enhance industrial harmony and productivity.
Venceremos
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz President)
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