10 Jul 2006

PNG teachers stage nationwide strike

7:18 pm on 10 July 2006

Thousands of students in Papua New Guinea have been affected by a nationwide teacher's strike, effective from Monday.

About 25,000 teachers have been advised to go on strike indefinitely by the PNG Teachers Association over unpaid salary adjustments and allowances.

Since 2003, teachers have been underpaid and 6,000 teachers have not been paid a promised 4% salary increment.

Our correspondent in Port Moresby Alex Rheeney says the teacher's union has chosen strike action over the government's non-compliance over the MOU that was signed between the two parties in May.

"Consequently they decided to make a decision to go on strike today to try to force the goverment into action."

The PNGTA says the government has owes around 25 million US dollars to its members.