31 Oct 2006

Striking Solomons teachers may call off action

2:32 pm on 31 October 2006

Solomon Islands teachers meet shortly to consider calling off strike action which began yesterday.

The teachers are striking over the government's failure to implement the scheme of service, despite backing it after assuming power in April.

The scheme would give teachers substantial pay rises to make up for the lack of movement in wages in the past nine years.

It would also satisfy other concerns including a proper salary and promotion structure.

The government however says it does not have the money and has asked teachers to first accept the unified pay structure it has already agreed to for other public servants, with the promise their additional concerns would be looked at early next year.

An official of the Solomon Islands National Teachers Association says teachers will vote on this request this afternoon.