26 Jun 2002

New Caledonian teachers' strike spreads to primary schools

10:45 am on 26 June 2002

Ac report from the French newsagency, AFP, says a demonstration is planned in New Caledonia today against plans to introduce a new compulsory health insurance scheme.

Members of five education sector unions have been on strike since early last week over the planned changes to the health care system that will come into effect on July the 1st.

The strike initially affected only high schools but has now spread to some primary schools, which has left about 15-thousand children without teachers.

The strike has continued despite talks with the territorial government on Monday for working groups to look into some aspects of the reforms.

The teachers' union members say their premiums will go up while the cover will be worse.