70 teachers demand salaries

AMBON, Maluku: About 70 teachers from Central Maluku regency issued a complaint to the Ambon Legislative Office on Monday regarding their salaries, which have been withheld by the regency administration starting this month.

The teachers had been transferred in 2000 to several schools in Ambon following sectarian conflict in the province.

"We were told by the regency treasurer that starting this month, we will not receive our salaries, including some fringe benefits. Our rights will be addressed if we return to our former positions," said Sianressy, one of the teachers, who abandoned her home in Central Maluku in May 2000.

Ambon Legislative Office spokesman Lucky Watimurry said that he has not yet received information about the problem, but he has recommended the Ambon Mayor to coordinate with the provincial branch of the National Education Office over the presence of the relocated teachers and their rights.

He added that the problem could get complicated as there are currently 258 teachers in Ambon alone. --Antara