By Assan Bah
The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU), has issued a notice yesterday Tuesday January 3rd 2023, informing teachers and other education personnel across the country, of a nationwide industrial strike. The strike according to the Union is as a result of the ‘inconsistency’ in the payment of allowances to the Education sector’s personnel since the introduction of the new pay scale which reflected the 30% salary increment.
“To this effect, the leadership has sent nine demands to Government on 20th December 2022, and hoped that these demands would be thoroughly examined and reviewed to reflect the requirement of the General Orders in respect of such emoluments. To its dismay and utmost surprise, Government has neither responded nor acknowledged receipt of our demands after two weeks,” the statement said.
“In this respect, Government is found to have deliberately failed to effect the 30% salary increment on Zonal Allowances which contravenes the spirit and letter of Chapter 5. Section Ill of theGeneral Orders, precisely 05.805, which states that officers posted from one region to another, are entitled to the appropriate monthly provincial allowances of prescribed percentages of their basic salary. Government is found acting accordingly which is in contravention of the letter and spirit of the General Order,” the statement added.
The Union therefore call on all teachers across the country to stay at their respective homes until their demands are responded to by the government. “In view of the aforementioned, the Union hereby request teachers across the country to stay at home in their residences and not to report to work until we hear from the government accordingly and the attention of the general public, parents and students in particular, is hereby being drawn.”
