Thousands of teachers unpaid for three months

Nana Rukmana and Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Majalengka/Banyumas

Thousands of teachers temporarily employed by the governments in West Java and Central Java have not been paid for the last three months.

An administrative problem was blamed for the payment delay.

Around 1,617 temporary teachers in Majalengka regency, West Java, should have each been paid Rp 460,000 per month since June.

At least 1,166 others in Banyumas regency, Central Java, also faced a similar fate. They expressed concern.

Many of them admitted they had to borrow money from neighbors and others to cover the living costs of their families.

"I am ashamed with my neighbors and fellow contract teachers at private schools. They call me a stupid man who keeps silent despite being unpaid," said Ahmad, 35, one of the teachers in Banyumas.

Head of the Majalengka education office Karna Sobahi said the teachers were not paid because the local regent did not sign a decree on their appointments, even though they have been working since June.

Majalengka Regent Tutty Hayati Anwar did not spell out reasons why she postponed the signing, but advised the teachers to remain patient.

Karna promised the local government would reimburse the funds from Majalengka's budget to pay the teachers' salaries as soon as their appointment decrees were signed by the regent.

"We will certainly pay all their salaries. We are seeking to have the decrees issued immediately," he said.

They were among thousands of teachers hired in May by the central government on a three-year contract basis in an effort to address teacher shortages across the country. Their contract can be extended after three years.

The teachers had been distributed to elementary and junior high schools in their respective regions.

In Majalengka, the teachers were deployed to schools in 29 subdistricts.

Teti Sukmawati, another teacher in Majalengka, said she and her colleagues had many times urged the local administration to immediately pay their salaries but had been ignored.

"I and other teachers have frequently come to the regent's office and the education office head to ask for an explanation about the payment delay. But they (the officials) told us to remain patient," she said.

"We have been waiting for three months since we passed the test and began working in June, but have not been paid yet.

"If it continues to happen, how can I afford to make a living for my wife and children," said Yudiman, 32, another teacher at an elementary school in Banyumas.

Head of the Banyumas education office Sutjipto said that the payment delay was due to the "administrative process" in the local administration.