Teachers to demand more pay despite government warnings

Despite government warnings, local school teachers are planning to stage a nationwide strike on 3 April to demand higher salaries, according to Yemeni Teachers Union (YTU) Chairman Ahmed al-Rubahi. “We’ve informed the government that we will go ahead with our decision to stage massive demonstrations in the capital and in other cities. We’re not breaking the law, but exercising our constitutional rights,” said al-Rubahi, adding that protests were scheduled to start on Tuesday in Sana’a. “Unless the government fulfils our demands for higher pay, demonstrations will certainly be carried out.” In a 25 March press statement, however, the interior ministry warned teachers against participating in planned protests. “This is an infringement of law no. 29 of 2003, which stipulates that licenses must be granted for any protest,” the statement noted. “People calling for such a protest are to be held accountable for any riots or other lawless acts.” The YTU initially called for the strike following a breakdown in talks with the government last week. “We’re demanding higher pay for the teaching staff and are protesting against the harassment we’ve faced to deter us from striking,” said al-Rubahi. He went on to complain of heavy-handed measures taken against dissatisfied schoolteachers, including arrests, dismissals and threats of salary suspensions. “We’ve used all possible means, including wearing red badges and staging partial strikes to pressure the government to meet our demands,” he said. Teachers are insisting on a 110-percent pay rise, including allowances. Currently, school teachers are paid the equivalent of between US $150 and US $200 a month. Assistant professors at universities are paid the equivalent of US $500 a month. Al-Rubahi explained that the quality of education countrywide could be expected to deteriorate unless teachers’ demands were met. “The role of teachers in a society plagued with illiteracy and poverty is vital,” he said. “Unless they are paid well, they won’t be able to perform their jobs properly.” According to government statistics, almost 50 percent of the population aged between 10 and 45 are illiterate. The number hovers at about 30 percent among men and exceeds 67 percent among women. Minister of Civil Service Hamoud Khaled al-Sufi expressed disapproval of the planned strike. "Teachers should know that pay rises are governed by available resources and the overall economic structure of the state,” he said. With teachers representing half of the country’s civil service, he added, available resources were insufficient to increase salaries across the board.