Mpulungu teachers condemn allowance removal
Mpulungu, May 21, 2013, ZANIS—The Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) in Mpulungu has condemned the removal of special responsibility and double class allowances by government.
In an interview today, ZNUT district secretary Amos Chileshe said teachers in the district had received the news with displeasure especially that government had not given valid reasons warranting the removal.
Mr Chileshe claimed that the action was illegal because the allowances were budgeted for adding that the action would subject teachers to harsh conditions.
He further added that the action had no justification and was de – motivating to the hard working teachers.
Mr Chileshe has appealed to government to consider rescinding the decision as the removal of the allowances was sending a wrong signal to the deserving teachers.
Most teachers in the district have complained that there had been a reduction in their take home pay after special responsibility and double class allowances were removed from their pay checks as indicated on their May, 2013 payslips.
Mr Chileshe however added that the teachers’ union would soon engage the government to establish why allowances the budgeted for allowances could have been be removed.
Meanwhile, government explained its decision to remove the allowances as a measure aimed at cleaning the system invaded by ghost teachers.