The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has commended the government of Zimbabwe for its COVID 19 vaccination programme but continues to note with concern the forced vaccination of teachers and other civil servants by the government.
The government of Zimbabwe has implementeda “No Jab No Job” policy that will see civil servants who have not yet taken the COVID 19 jab losing their jobs. ARTUZ says it will take action against the government’s stance.
We present the statement by ARTUZ below;
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ applauds the government of Zimbabwe for a successful vaccination program which saw the country reaching the World Health Organisation, WHO target of vaccinating more than 10% of its population by September 2021. ARTUZ however noted with disgust the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 234 of 2021, which seeks to coerce civil servants to get vaccinated or lose their jobs.
ARTUZ has been on the forefront encouraging teachers to get vaccinated as a way of containing the deadly COVID19 pandemic, however the Union is completely against mandatory vaccination. Mandatory vaccination violates employee’s freedom of choice and right to dignity. The policy further disregards the existence of underlying medical conditions which bar some employees from being vaccinated.
It is against this background that the Union launched the ‘Voluntary Vaccination Campaign.” The campaign seeks to achieve two objectives;
1. To raise awareness on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID19 vaccines and encourage more people to voluntarily get vaccinated.
2. Pile pressure on the government to reverse the untenable mandatory vaccination policy.
ARTUZ has since engaged lawyers who are seized with filing a court application to try and block mandatory vaccination.
The Union is organizing a Voluntary Vaccination March scheduled for the 8th of October 2021 ahead of the 15th October deadline set by government for mandatory vaccination.
On 8 October 2021, Voluntary Vaccination education campaign will be blended with a protest resisting mandatory vaccination. Roadshows and marches will be staged in all the 10 provinces in Zimbabwe.
The Union invites progressive citizens and organisations who want to participate in this eduprotest to engage us on +263776129336/775643192 email to ruraltrsunion@gmail.com.
The eduprotest is nonpartisan; citizens from across the political divide are invited to join.
Details of the road shows and marches will be advised.
ENDS//