Teachers affiliated with the Katholieke Onderwijzers Bond (KOB; Catholic Teachers’ Union) are threatening action. The education workers have not received a number of allowances for years. Some have not even received the SRD 3500 purchasing power supplement, which was to be included in their salary, since January.
KOB chairperson Bernice Barron told D-TV Express that a number of teachers were suddenly removed from the system, as a result of which they did not receive the 20 per cent wage increase agreed between the unions and the government. Furthermore, teachers working in the interior have not received a development allowance for years, or have not received the correct amount. Others who worked during the holidays are still waiting for their money.
These are arrears of two to three years. The chairperson further explained that the ministry is also behind in awarding gratuities. Teachers with 25 or 30 years of service have been waiting for their gratuities for several years. All these matters have already been raised several times with the ministry’s management, but nothing is being done.
Barron further stated that a registration process was held and all this information was obtained from that registration. The union submitted these documents to the ministry’s Subsidy department and it was announced that the people would receive their money by the end of February. However, this did not happen. “If payment does not take place now, then when will it? After the elections, it will become even more difficult.” The chairperson believes that teachers do not receive much as it is, so the ministry must ensure that the money to which they are entitled is deposited on time.
The union chairperson noted that the limit has been reached. If the money is not deposited by the end of March, action will be taken. “If matters are not resolved, then we will have to think differently,” she said, referring to action. According to her, there has already been talk for too long and the people must now see the money.
