Is Ministry Sending Mixed Messages Over Time Recovery and Salary Deduction

Luke Palacio

But is the Ministry of Education sending mixed messages with respect to their salary deductions? Palacio says that on one hand, the ministry says it will dock salaries at the end of November and on the other hand, it wants teachers to make up time and spend six more days in the classrooms.  In all the waffle over lost time and salary deduction, Palacio says they are still doubtful about what the Ministry of Education is actually saying.

Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U.

“We are not clear whether they are saying that they are going to pay the teachers for those eleven days.  What the minister has said resoundingly and it’s in the news is that they are going to deduct the eleven days at the end of November.  This is not yet clear to us.  So are they saying we are not going to deduct and then when you make up the time in the January and Easter breaks that they are talking about, are they going to give additional compensation?  That is not clear and that is why I think Mr. Frazer has made the point that the ministry seems to be playing a game and hoping that people will continue to become confused and try to go against the teachers.  The position remains absolutely clear: we were prepared; we are still prepared to make up the time.  That, we continue to insist, is the purview of the management and the teachers to meet and settle this thing once and for all.”

While the issues remain unresolved, the B.N.T.U. will be seeking legal advice.