Zimbabwe’s civil servants are struggling as government fails to meet December payroll, intensifying concerns about public sector compensation amid economic challenges.

Civil servants in Zimbabwe, including teachers, have not received their December salaries, marking the second consecutive month of payment delays by the government. The disruption affects thousands of public sector workers during the holiday season.

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) reported on Wednesday that its members are facing severe financial hardship due to the delayed payments. The union represents thousands of educators across rural Zimbabwe.

“Civil servants are already earning paltry salaries and are battling to make ends meet,” ARTUZ said in a statement. “The festive season was struck off the calendar of government workers way back.”

The payment delays follow similar issues in November, when many government employees received late payments in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), the country’s currency. Year-end bonuses were also delayed.

ARTUZ claims senior government officials have received their compensation in U.S. dollars while lower-ranking civil servants continue to wait for their local currency payments. The union is demanding a minimum monthly salary of US$1,260 for entry-level teachers.

“The anger from the civil servants is reaching the boiling point,” the union warned. “2025 will be a difficult year for those who steal from the poor. We will organize and demand fair wages paid on time.”

The government has not publicly addressed the reason for the payment delays or provided a timeline for when salaries will be disbursed.

This latest disruption comes as Zimbabwe continues to face broader economic challenges, including currency instability and high inflation rates that have eroded public sector wages.