Let economy improve, clamour for more
EDITOR. — The call by Federation of Zimbabwe Educators’ Union (FZEU), a new coalition of all trade unions that represent teachers to demand 100 per cent salary hike is unjustified especially when the new administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa is tirelessly working on the recovery of the economy.
While it is within the right of every employee to ask their employer to increase salaries there are incidences where one needs to look at the dynamics at play in the economy.
The Zimbabwean economy cannot afford the increases being demanded first by health personnel and now teachers at the moment.
Indeed teachers, nurses, doctors and any other Government Departments need to be sustainably remunerated but considering the economy has been stagnant for the last two decades, there is need for self-introspection by those who are making these demands lest we conclude they have other nefarious agendas.
The educators like any other Government worker might not be getting what is due to them but so is every other workers, remuneration is never enough at any given time. What every worker should be praying for is that the new administration which has in the past few months managed to attract investors bringing substantial billions of dollars in the economy continues to do so and the economy emerges from the woods it has been these past two decades for the benefit of everyone.
The performance of the economy during the short stint of the new administration is pointing towards gradual economic stabilisation and good prospects for growth.
The call by FZEU spokesperson, Manuel Nyau, that enough is enough and in the process condemning Government for not taking them seriously should be viewed as statement pregnant with a lot of emotions devoid of reasoning.
The bottom line is that the industries should be resuscitated, and until the country reaches the stage where we have three shifts system in industries like we used to have in the past and 24 hour sound of machines deafening the ears of the passer-byes then we can talk of increments.
Currently, Government’s priority is to bring in foreign direct investments and that can only be done through re- engagement with other nations.
During his inauguration last year, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe cannot continue to be isolated from the rest of the world.
Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Magudya are currently in China ahead of President Emmerson Mnangagwa official visit to the Asian economic giant this month, as part of government re- engagement process to revive the economy
Against this background, various Government unions should realise that the new administration is working tirelessly to make Zimbabwe work again and these threats of strikes and such do not help matters.
The 14 day ultimatum for Government to respond to the Federation and failure to which they intend to embark on a national strike is unjustified and should be condemned by every right thinking Zimbabwean.
Virimayi Chidembo.