Broke teachers go on strike

SORONG, Irian Jaya: Thirty elementary school teachers from five isolated villages in Ianwatan subdistricts have gone on strike after receiving no salary for the past four months.

They are staying in Sorong and have refused to return to their jobs until their salaries are paid. The strike has thrown the learning-teaching activities in the hinterland into disarray, Antara reported.

Nicolas Raturoma, one of the teachers, said yesterday he and his colleagues brought the problem to the attention of the education office in Sorong, but there had been no response.

Meanwhile, a government official in Inanwatan said the teachers will have to wait indefinitely for their salaries, because there was a problem with the bank transfer of funds to the schools. (pan)