Teachers on Tuesday observed strike and a walk in Mingora demanding 100 per cent increase in their salaries and merger of ad hoc relief into basic salary and health insurance.
The teacher marched on Nishat Road and blocked it for some time. Holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands, they blocked the road for some time and chanted slogan in favour of their demands and against the indifferent attitude of the education department officials.
Earlier, at a convention, organised by the United Front of Teachers, held at the Government Higher Secondary School Mingora, teachers through a unanimous resolution demanded of the government to increase their salary proportionate to rise in inflation. The convention was attended by over 2,000 teachers from across Malakand Division.
“The basic objective of the convention is to raise our voice and draw the attention of the government towards our genuine problems and seek an increase in our salaries proportionate to the increase in prices of daily use commodities,” Muttahida Asatza Mahaz (MAM) district president Muhammad Ali told The Express Tribune. “We have multiple issues with the education and other departments which remain unresolved.”
The Front’s general-secretary Shaukat Ali elaborated some of the issues with the provincial and federal governments. “From the federal government, we demand the implementation of all recommendations approved by the Pay and Pension Commission in 2009. We also demand that the ad hoc relief announced by the government during the last three years be merged into our basic salaries. We also demand fresh service structure instead of the one introduced by the provincial government.”
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ghulam Mohiyuddin, Chairman of the front said, “The government should streamline the service structure of all the teachers, merge ad hoc relief of the previous three years into our basic salaries and provide health insurance to the insurance instead of medical allowance, he said. “The 5,000 plus teachers appointed on contract in Balochistan should also be regularised,” Mohiyuddin demanded.
They also demanded that the federal government end the “conspiracy” against the HEC and resume funding it immediately. They also warned that they will stage a sit-in in front of Parliament House to demand their rights.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2011.
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