UZ Lecturers Declare Indefinite Strike Over Salary Disputes

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturers have declared an indefinite strike beginning Monday, March 24, 2025, over ongoing salary disputes with the administration.

The industrial action, led by the Association of University Teachers (AUT), will persist until lecturers’ demands for a return to pre-2018 salary scales are addressed.

According to AUT, salaries were drastically reduced in October 2018, with junior lecturers seeing a drop from US$2,250 to below US$300 per month, along with a small local currency component equivalent to less than US$200.

This 87% pay cut has left many struggling to afford basic necessities, including housing, food, and transport. Some lecturers say they can no longer afford tuition for their children at UZ or meet daily expenses.

AUT claims it has sent over 27 letters to university authorities since 2018 requesting salary reviews, with only one response received.

A statement from the association criticizes the administration for prioritizing executive benefits and non-essential projects while neglecting staff welfare. It also alleges that contractual obligations, such as funeral policies and health insurance, have not been honored.

Following legal procedures, AUT’s strike notice expires on Friday, March 21, 2025. Lecturers are set to gather at 9 AM on Monday in Lecture Theatre 3 to begin the strike, urging members to bring placards and protest peacefully.

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Source-Pindula