Teachers Commence Indefinite Strike Over Delay In Payment Of Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Bayelsa State Chapter has today embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of N18,000 minimum wage arrears to members in the state.

The union made this known in a statement signed and issued by its chairman, Mr Kala-Ama John, to newsmen in the state capital, Yenagoa today

It said that the strike took effect after the expiration of 21 days ultimatum given to the state government in July and additional 7 days ultimatum on Sept. 12.

Naija News understands that the strike has affected the activities of both primary and secondary schools in the state who are supposed to resume for the first term on Monday.

The statement claimed that the strike was important in order for the state government’s inability to address the grievances over non-payment of N18,000 minimum wage arrears to both secondary and primary schools teachers.

“Also, we are aggrieved over non-payment of the backlog of salary arrears ranging from three and half to seven and half months to primary school teachers since 2013.

“We also observed an acute shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools, non-provision of instructional materials to schools since September 2018 till date and other lingering issues confronting the education system in the state.

“Consequently, the national body of the Nigeria Union of Teachers has filed a trade dispute with Bayelsa government on Sept. 6, 2019,” he said.

It noted that the notice came with the directive that “until the outstanding salary arrears are paid completely to both secondary and primary schools teachers, they should not resume work as schools re-open on Sept. 23.

“Accordingly, the state wing executive council of the union hereby directs all primary and secondary school teachers in Bayelsa state to stay away from classes with immediate effect from Friday Sept. 20, 2019, until otherwise directed,” it stated.