The two teachers unions have today called for more pay increments for teachers although major increases came into effect from early this year.
The Fiji Teachers Union which had its Annual Conference in Labasa today, held discussions on pay, terms and conditions, and the planned push to get the government to hold negotiations with unions on their members’ grievances.
General Secretary, Agni Deo Singh said they have also been affected by the government’s decision not to deduct union members’ subscription fees from civil servants who are their union members.
These deductions were previously done by the government for the unions.
Singh also claimed that the pay rise given by the government earlier this year is insufficient.
About 1,000 teachers from around the country attended the Fiji Teachers Union Conference at Labasa Sangam College. Also present at the conference were unionists Danial Urai, Felix Anthony, Rajeshwar Singh and former parliamentarian Krishna Dutt
The Fijian Teachers Association is also calling on the government to increase the salary of the teachers.
They want the starting salary to be increased from $13,000 to about $18,000.
FTA President Merewairita Moci said the teachers are poorly paid with contracted work conditions hanging over their heads, constant changes to the curriculum and the big class sizes in some schools.
Moci said the Ministry is not recognizing the FTA and FTU.
About 500 FTA members were present at the opening of their conference today which will end on Thursday.
Also present in the conference were Ro Teimumu Kepa, Pio Tabaiwalu, Lavinia Padarath and Taufa Vakatale.
Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Education, Doctor Brij Lal said the unions know well that pay increments were approved earlier this year.
In the 2014 National Budget, substantial pay rises for all of Fiji’s civil servants, including all the disciplined forces was announced.
Those civil servants who earned less than $15,400 received a 23 percent pay rise, those earning between $15,400 and $20,600, received a pay rise of 18 percent and those earning between $20,600 and $26,700 received a pay rise of 12 percent.
Those civil servants earning between $26,700 and $34,200 received a pay rise of 10 percent.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Akuila Cama
