Teachers in Jonglei State threaten to strike over salaries
Teachers in Jonglei State are threatening to lay down tools following the government’s failure to pay their two months’ salary arrears.
John Deng Ajith, Interim Chairperson for Jonglei State Teachers’ Union (JSTU) in a letter addressed to the state minister of general education and instruction dated January 9th 2023 said they are demanding for unpaid salaries of November and December.
“The objective of writing this letter is to notify you that we have not received the salaries for the two months of November and December 2022,” said Deng.
Deng said they plan to go on strike starting Tuesday and will not reconsider unless outstanding salaries are cleared.
“Salaries were supposed to be paid on time last year and now we are in the New Year 2023, we have not received our salaries,” he said.
He said the delayed remuneration has demotivated teachers amid the ongoing high inflation and currency volatility in South Sudan.
“We have no money to feed our families, pay our children’s school fees and essential needs,” said Deng.
Last week teachers in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State went on strike demanding payment of salaries of November and December. Some officials in the state ministry of education said the strike could have been avoided if salaries were released on time ahead of exams for primary 1-7 pupils.
