Workers MPs Press Govt Over Teachers Strike

Workers MPs Press Govt Over Teachers Strike, Call for Supplementary Budget to Enhance Teachers Pay.

Members of Parliament representing workers have tasked the government to seek a supplementary budget expeditiously and find money to enhance the salaries of Arts teachers who laid down tools earlier this week.

MPs have also cautioned Residential District Commissioners (RDCs) against intimidating Arts teachers over the strike.

On Wednesday Arts teachers embarked on a nationwide strike over the government’s proposed discriminatory salary enhancement, leaving learners in Primary and Secondary schools across the country stranded.

Members of Parliament representing workers together with other legislators have addressed a press conference in Kampala and tasked the government to seek a supplementary budget to harmonize salary disparities between Arts and Science Teachers which is causing endless strikes.

Margret Rwabushaija the Worker’s representative, noted that the government failed to adhere to a collective bargaining agreement with teachers before it escalated into a strike.

Lawmakers who also make policies are opposed to the government policy of prioritizing science teachers over Arts teachers, saying all teachers are equally important yet teachers pay the same bills.

The government has increased salaries for Science teachers in its bid to promote sciences. Shs495 billion has been earmarked in the Financial Year 2022/2023 National Budget to enhance salaries for science teachers
MPs have slammed ministers and RDCs who extend threats to the striking teachers that they will lose their jobs. They defended the teacher’s cause to lay down tools saying it’s a legal and acceptable practice.