Zimbabwe’s government will on Wednesday held the last-ditch negotiations with public sector unions so as to try avert a national strike that could trigger more conflict after this month’s violent protests.

However, the main teachers union said it was not expecting any progress and was already making plans for a Feb. 5 walkout.

Teachers and other state workers are demanding wage rises and payments in dollars to help them stave off spiraling inflation and an economic crisis that has exhausted supplies of cash, fuel and medicines.

Rights groups say at least 12 people lost their lives this month after a three-day stay-at-home strike over a fuel price hike led to street protests and a crackdown by security services. The government says three people died.