IBB - The Yemeni Teachers Syndicate in Ibb organized a huge sit-in demanding the implementation of the wages codes on Wednesday, November 21st. Protestors, from across the province gathered in front of the governorate building.
The sit-in lasted about two hours from 9:00am until 11:00 am, during which time several speeches were delivered by representatives of the YTS. Protestors chanted slogans which bear witness to their complaints; “Oh, government of corruption a hike of prices has prevailed all over the country”, “Oh, government of despair, where is the increase in wages, the government is on the TV, in reality, there is no achievement. Oh, minister, oh Jawfi, to hear hunger is enough, Oh, Minister, Oh, Mojawer, don’t denounce or deny our rights.”
In a statement, the protestors demanded the release of the second phase of the wages law beginning July 2006, the third phase from July 2007 according to the 43rd item of law for 2005, and the release of allowances, bonuses and salaries held back for years to be paid in cash to all government employees, since this was agreed to in this year’s budget, and YR82 billion was set aside for this purpose.
They also demanded the maximum increase of the second phase (YR100,000), the third phase (YR130,000), and the beginning of a financial connection for degrees to be re-allocated evenly and fairly among employees.
With reference to the bonuses, they demanded the granting of the bonus to all who deserve it, as of July 2005 until August 2006, and the bonus for educationalists in general to be at a rate between 60-110 percent, depending on one’s qualifications. This is according to documentation signed by three syndicates - YTS, GUTEP and UTP - and the ministry of education committee on July 31st, 2006.
They also demanded bonuses for instructors, administrators, teachers of the Qura’n and all those who have been deprived of this right in the education, health, engineering and other sectors. They demanded the rural exchange allowance be paid retrospectively to all staff in rural areas who have been deprived of this right. They also demanded the return of sums illegally deducted from salaries in October under false names and the investigation and trial of those responsible.
“These are our fair and clear demands, they are the demands of all teachers, male and female, in the ruling party or in the opposition, from all schools of the Republic. These rights are for all, they have nothing to do with policy and, for the purpose of quick implementation, we announce the launching of the new phase of peaceful legal activities for this year, as in the other governorates of the Republic,” said Abdussalam al-Khudairy, secretary general of the YTS. “We are within our legal rights to escalate the means of protests and demonstrations, and to strike from work if required,” he added.
He also mentioned a list of abuses that the teachers were exposed to due to their participation in the sit-in, and asked teachers to report any arbitrary action, stating that the SYT would support and stand-by those who were subject to unfair treatment.
The rally was conducted in a very peaceful, democratic way in which opinions were expressed freely. The protestors also thanked security men for their cooperation, stating, “Soldiers, Army, we have something in common - the love of living.”