The Ministry of Education in Fiji urges teacher unions to consult with the government before taking strike action. This follows the Fijian Teachers Association’s and Fiji Teachers Union’s proposal to increase teacher salaries by 30%. If this increase is not achieved, they could stage a strike, potentially disrupting the education system.
Minister Aseri Radrodro underscores the importance of finding common ground and aligning requests with available resources.
The Ministry is actively engaging in consultations with relevant line ministries to address teacher-related issues. They are diligently working with their respective Permanent Secretaries to find resolutions and agreements, a process that holds the promise of a positive outcome.
The two unions are currently awaiting secret ballot approval from the Ministry of Employment. Once 51% of teachers agree to continue the strike, they will take industrial action.
The 2024-2025 national budget, the outcome of which could significantly impact the negotiation process, is set to be announced this Friday, providing a crucial context to the ongoing situation.
