Teachers call off strike

Islamabad

The daily-wage teachers working at the Federal Directorate of Education schools and colleges in the Islamabad Capital Territory on Thursday abruptly called off the boycott of duty against non-payment of salary.

These staff members of schools haven't been paid Rs14,000 salary for four months.

Though there is no official word, the poor response of teachers to the strike has been cited as a reason for the sudden development announced by the Young Teachers Association, which had given the call for strike.

Protesters complained they're caught unawares by the announcement and were disappointed by the YTA's irrational move.

They said unfortunately, the association members didn't bother to consult them before calling off the strike to their misery.

Some questioned the timing of the strike especially when the annual exams were under way in schools.

During the strike, daily-wage teachers boycotted classes and refused to do other duties, including teaching, invigilation and paper checking.

The daily-wage teachers had boycotted duty for many weeks last year but resumed duty after the relevant CADD minister, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, assured them of the early dues payment, regular salary payment and regular jobs. However, the assurances later turned out to be false.

The protesters said they’re distressed by financial problems caused by non-payment of salary.

They said the finance division had rejected the CADD summary for approval of funds for payment of salary to FDE daily-wage teachers.

Employed by the FDE for around eight years, the daily-wage teachers of the FDE schools and colleges have long been demanding either posting to the vacant positions and creation of new posts for the rest, increase in the monthly salary of daily-wage teachers from current Rs 13,000 to Rs 30,000 in line with their contemporaries in Punjab and that of non-teaching staff members reasonably, or offering of job contract to daily wagers without the condition of selection on open merit and once that contract expires, permanent joining be given to their respective posts.