Cdes its now clear that the authors of the national crisis are now in hiding. The promises of a better tomorrow under austerity have been proven to be patently false. Their intention was and is still to loot whilst we carry the burden of sustaining the public sector. The looting elites have carved out an elaborate strategy of coercing and delegitimising us and our genuine causes thus ruling by fear mongering and dividing us.
We are a few days away from the 2008 economic melt down. If we slide to that level it will be very difficult to fight back as we will all be seized with the unenviable task of hunting for the next meal.
The ongoing national examinations are of less national importance compared to the onerous task of saving of our nation from collapsing. Exams can be deferred until our grievances are addresed. Union bureacrats and the usual suspects from APEX council cannot be trusted to lead our fight. This is our fight, the ordinary people’s fight.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ made the right call for 14 October but this is not our protest alone it is a protest for all teachers. We can no longer afford to subcontract anyone to fight our battle for a living wage.
We have two basic and clear demands:
- Mthuli Ncube must either resign or be fired forthwith.
- Our salaries should be indexed to the interbank rate.
October is a historic month for the working class struggles. Lets use colour red as build up to the battle of our life time.
Action
Wear Red this October as a symbolic demonstration of the people’s anger against austerity.
Beginning 14 October 2019 we indefinitely withdraw our labour until our demands are met.
Let’s come together and defend our livelihoods.
Source: The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)
