Teachers across Papua New Guinea remain on strike

Wednesday, 17 May 2006, 8:34 pm
Press Release: Radio New Zealand International

Teachers across Papua New Guinea to remain on strike

Teachers across Papua New Guinea say they will continue their nationwide strike and not return to work until the government meets their demands.

At least 37 thousand teachers have been on strike across PNG since last Wednesday over their demands for a four percent wage increase and a seven per cent rise in housing allowances.

Some school children in the city of Lae have been sent home until further notice.

Last Friday, teachers were set to return to their classrooms following an understanding signed by the PNG Teachers Association and the Teaching Services Commission for an arbitration tribunal to deal with the claims.

But the welfare fund officer for the Papua New Guinea Teachers Association for the Mamose region, Leke Kapu, says teachers want to see money paid into their banks accounts first, before they return to work.

“at the moment we are on strike and waiting for the government and the teachers services commission to come out with a positive answer”

The welfare fund officer for the Papua New Guinea Teachers Association for the Mamose region, Leke Kapu.

Meanwhile, the National Board of education and the Secretary of Education are currently holding discussions in Port Moresby about the industrial action.

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