PNGTA supports Madang teachers’ sit-in strike

The Papua New Guinea Teachers association (PNGTA) National General Secretary Ugwalubu Mowana has called on the provincial treasury unit to pay the outstanding K1.3 million leave fares owed to the teachers in Madang.

PNGTA is supporting the teachers’ actions. Their action is a show of frustration and we are calling on the provincial government to pay what’s yet to be paid to the teachers this week.

PNGTA General Secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana

Mr Mowana was referring to the sit-in strike by teachers in Madang over their unpaid leave entitlements for 2017 and 2018.

It was unfortunate that K2 million was paid to the Madang provincial treasury office by the department of finance and treasury for teachers leave fares but only K700,000 was paid, while the K1.3 million outstanding is yet to be paid.

Mr Mowana

He said six payouts were made from that K2 million by the provincial treasury unit in 2018 which were:

• First warrant was paid in February amounting to K166,700;
• Second warrant was done in March with an amount of K166,700;
• Third payment made was K166,900;
• Another payment in July was K166,700 while;
• August payment was K166,600, and;
• K1, 166,400 was paid in September, 2018.

Mr Mowana said the actions by the teachers in Madang is an issue that is frustrating not only them but teachers throughout the country.

In 2017, the teachers were owed almost K4 million outstanding leave fares. I’m not surprised that they are frustrated, as are teachers in Milne Bay (K1.4m) and Oro (K1m).

Mr Mowana

PNGTA Momase regional secretary Michael Aimos said the teachers agreed in their meeting to go on a sit-in strike as a first strategy to boycott teaching by withdrawing their labour come January 28, 2019.

I want to ask the parents in Madang and the Momase region to understand why teachers are taking this fight. Teachers have been cheated and robbed off their entitlements of K4 million and K2 million respectively over the last two years.

PNGTA Momase Regional Secretary, Michael Aimos

He also advised parents to go to the schools on January 28 and withdraw their children if the teachers continue their sit-in protest. Teachers in Sandaun Province have confirmed they will join their colleagues in Madang in the sit-in strike.