70 teachers demand salaries

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