Teachers Threaten Industrial Action Over Subsidy

Zambia National Union of Teachers

The Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) has called on government to reinstate the rural hardship and double class allowances or face industrial action.

ZNUT Lusaka District chairperson Richard Katongo said the arbitrary suspension of the allowances without notice amounted to discrimination on the hard working teachers.

He said government should note that the allowances were a toughly negotiated entitlement that could not be withdrawn without consultation.

But acting Education Minister Emelyn Kabanshi said government will only negotiate after it had concluded its investigations on the matter.

She said there was no need for government to consult unions before suspending the allowances because the matter was straightforward.

Kabanshi said government did not engage the unions to avoid cover ups.

Government has withdrawn rural hardship and double class allowances without engaging the teachers and the teachers have threatened to down tools to register their displeasure.