The Solomon Islands Minister for Finance and Treasury, Gordon Darcy Lilo has reassured teachers of the government's commitment to pay their $7.6-million claim and calls on all striking teachers to return to work today.
Mr Darcy Lilo says teachers should not force the government to venture into some illegal arrangement to pay their claim but to wait for parliament to pass the supplementary appropriation bill 2007.
The minister denies claims that there is no provision for the teacher's money in the budget.
He says such claims arise from a misunderstanding of the budget and he can assure teachers that the money is there.
The teachers claim covers inducement allowances, salary re-leveling, long and dedicated service benefits and annual leave expenses.
