Over one month now, since the beginning of third term, the arts teachers boycotted classes with demands that the government fulfills its commitment to pay them salaries commensurate with the work they do as it did with their science subjects’ counterparts.
Arts subjects teachers who put down tools over empty government pay rise promises have hit back at the State Minister for Labour, Muruuli Mukasa who gave them a seven-day ultimatum to return to work or forfeit their jobs.
They advised him that instead of issuing threats, the best government should do is organize dialogue with them to formulate a way of fulfilling the piling empty promises.
Minister Muruuli Mukasa on Thursday issued the directive for teachers to return to work in seven days or else get ready for being sacked.
Over one month now, since the beginning of third term, the arts teachers boycotted classes with demands that the government fulfills its commitment to pay them salaries commensurate with the work they do as it did with their science subjects’ counterparts.
In a meeting with workers’ representatives in parliament, the general secretary for the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) Filbert Baguma who was accompanied by the union lawyers, made it clear that Minister Muruuli Mukasa’s threats to teachers is a punishable offence.
They maintained that their strike is lawful and in consonance with the Labour Unions Act of 2006 and the Public Service (Negotiating Consultative and Disputes Settlement Machinery) Act 2008.
Baguma said they have written a total of twelve letters to the government since raising salaries for science teachers, reminding the authorities to observe fairness in remuneration for teachers of all categories, with the government turning a deaf ear.
Workers MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara who sits on the NRM CEC encouraged teachers saying that he is going to initiate talks with Minister Muruuli Mukasa and engage in negotiations for creating harmony.
Teachers’ leaders who were not convinced with the promise, asserted that should they walk away empty handed even after such negotiations, they will have no option but to proceed with their peaceful strike.