Teachers demand salary payment

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Around 50 teachers of various secondary and high schools in the Central Java regency of Banyumas staged a rally in front of the local legislature on Thursday, demanding payment of their salary arrears.

They urged that the outstanding salaries be paid no later than July, instead of September as previously promised, because non- teacher civil servants would receive their full pay next month.

The protesters also questioned their delayed salary increase and hoped that the government would be consistent in implementing the salary increase policy.

Representing over 10,000 teachers in the regency, the protesters also demanded the dissolution of the local school principals working group, which, they said, was inclined to serve the personal interests of its members. (45)