The latest industrial action puts renewed pressure on the administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, amid growing calls for a solution to halt the bleeding of the economy. Prices of goods and services have been on the increase and inflation peaked over 20% according to the statistical agency, Zimstat.
Teachers, who make up the bulk of the government’s workforce, are also urging for their salaries to be paid in foreign currency. Ever since a new tax, which charges 2c/dollar was announced in October, there has been panic in the market with prices of goods and services shooting up and resultant erosion of people’s earnings.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube recently said the tax had been a success and the government had made its first surplus of the year and earned $29m as a result.
Meanwhile, fuel shortages in the country entered their second week with most filling stations still dry. The few service stations with petrol or diesel were prioritising account holders ahead of the public.