THE Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) has called on the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to urgently address delays in paying newly-appointed teachers, saying no employee should be expected to work without receiving their wages.
In a statement, FTU general secretary Muniappa Goundar said the union was deeply concerned that many new teachers across the country had reported for duty and continued teaching despite not receiving their salaries.
“These teachers have honoured their commitment to the education of Fiji’s children,” Mr Goundar said.
“Yet, fortnight after fortnight, they are met with the same response: ‘Your salary is still being processed.’ The question is: How long must they continue to wait?”
He said teachers faced financial responsibilities from the day they started work, including paying rent, transport, food expenses, loan repayments and supporting their families.
“No employee should be expected to work without being paid for services already rendered.”
Mr Goundar said the Employment Relations Act 2007 recognised the protection of wages and required workers to be paid in a timely manner for work performed.
The union has called on the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and the Education Ministry’s salaries section to treat the matter as a priority.
“Our new teachers deserve respect, dignity and the timely payment of their hard-earned wages.”
