Teachers on indefinite strike in Xai-Xai, Gaza – WATCH

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Teachers on indefinite strike in Xai-Xai, Gaza – WATCH

11:53 CAT | 09 Oct 2017

A teachers’ strike began in the Mozambican city of Xai-Xai last week as a result of the non-payment of overtime in a dispute dating back to 2015. The strike is affecting thousands of students in Gaza.

More than 7,200 teachers have not received overtime pay in Gaza province. The strike has the potential to spread throughout the province and could affect the thousands of students, some of whom have final exams in November.

But strong-arm tactics between teachers and the provincial government persist, with teachers warning that they will not go back to work until the arrears are paid.

“If they do not pay the money, I’m not available to teach,” Azarias Mondlane, a teacher in Xai-Xai says. “After this hot air cools down, we do not want a wave of reprisals,” he adds.

Another striking teacher, João Matsinhe is also indignant.

“I am sure that I will go to my death without receiving this money,” he says, sad that the crisis in Mozambique affects mainly teachers. “If it is crisis, then let us all suffer together,” he emphasises.

Millions of meticais in debt

The provincial government owes teachers 131 million meticais (equivalent to more than US$2 million) for overtime and second shifts from 2015 to 2017.

Provincial Director of Economy and Finance Romana Baulana is unable to say when the money will be available, only saying that all financial transactions are done on e-SISTAFE, the computer platform through which the state pays its salaries.

In the current economic and financial crisis, the provincial directorate is dependent on internal resources, Baulana explains. “The Treasury is disbursing as it gets the resources, so I cannot say that tomorrow, it will hand over the money,” she adds.

According to Baulana, the endless delays are due in part to the existence of “ghost” teachers. Checks by provincial government suggest that “ghost” could cost the state as much as 11 million meticais.

Reacting to the strike, Gaza governor Stella Pinto Novo Zeca has said that “nothing justifies” paralysing the classes.

“There are statutes for state officials and agents, to which they can be held accountable,” he warns. “The biggest losers are the children and these children are your cousins, sons and daughters: they are relatives of ours,” he stresses.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Gaza government and secondary school teachers, with no consensus to end the strike that has halted the classes since last Monday. Teachers reiterate that they will only return to work when the government regularises the payment of 6 months of overtime in debt, TVM reported on Saturday, October 7. ( See video below)