Zambian teachers strike
2005-01-26 10:33
Lusaka - Tens of thousands of public school teachers in Zambia have embarked on an illegal strike to press for better wages and housing benefits from government, unionists said on Wednesday.
The majority of members of the Zambia National Teachers Union (ZNTU), representing about 48 000 educators in the public sector, started an indefinite go-slow last week, spokesperson Newman Mubala said.
"The strike has now spread to all parts of the country. We shall not end the strike until the government meets our demands," Mubala said.
Most public schools in the country have been affected by the strike, which has put the 2005 academic year in disarray, barely a week after schools opened.
On Thursday, some students from various schools in the northern Copperbelt Province staged demonstrations, urging the government to address the teachers' concerns because the strike was affecting their learning.
The government has declared the strike illegal and warned teachers with stern action if they do not rescind their industrial action.
"The strike is illegal because the government has not refused to negotiate with the teachers," said Education Minister Andrew Mulenga.
The teachers are also demanding that the government put in place a new payroll system that would allow teachers to receive their monthly salaries on time.