TEACHERS’ STRIKE TAKES MOMENTUM
Thousands of teachers have been on strike since Monday as part of their continued nationwide attempt to compel the government to increase their wages. All of these teachers voluntarily joined the strike initiated by the Mongolian Education and Science Trade Unions. Reportedly, they have been going to work at their usual time but instead of working, they have been sitting in a classroom holding various signs and boards with messages demanding to have their wages raised.
Parents of students and kindergarteners were informed of the strike last week by the temporary committee of public teachers demanding a pay increase.
NUMBER OF PROTESTERS EXPECTED
TO INCREASE
Approximately 80 percent of teachers in Ulaanbaatar and 40 percent of teachers in rural settlements are on strike, according to the trade union’s latest report.
A member of the temporary committee notified that more teachers will join the protest in the next few days.
“At present, 177 schools, 217 kindergartens and 11 scientific organizations have joined the strike. The number of protesters will increase in two to three days,” she said.
Reportedly, teachers of some schools and kindergartens are unable to strike because they submitted their notification of strike late. However, the committee member confirmed that they have gotten approval and will start their strike soon.
The temporary committee announced that 72 schools and 56 kindergartens located outside of the capital have not been operating due to the strike.
As reported by the Education and Arts and Culture Department of Sukhbaatar Province, teachers of 15 out of 16 schools and all 23 kindergartens operating in Sukhbaatar Province have joined the strike for an undetermined period of time since Monday.
HOW WILL LOST SCHOOL DAYS
BE RECOVERED?
Teachers might be exercising their rights by demonstrating for a pay increase, however, various questions are arising because of their decision. The public is asking: Will teachers get paid while they are on strike? When will the strike end? How will children be able to recover their lost school days?
According to the law, employers don’t have to pay their employees in the case of a strike. Instead, the Mongolian Education and Science Trade Unions is responsible for this matter. Based on this fact, many onlookers, especially teachers on strike, are curious to know whether the trade union that initiated the strike has the financial capacity to provide wages to teachers and other staff that joined their cause.
If the trade union isn’t capable of doing so, a gap will grow in the social insurance contribution of protesters. In the long-run, tons of complications will eventuate as teacher’s working hours decrease and their vacation pay lessen.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is students’ education. Parents are expressing concerns about their children’s education as they don’t know yet how long the strike will continue. One of the biggest concerns is whether students will be able to learn everything they need to during this semester and school year, and how lost school days will be made up for.
MOST PARENTS APPROVE OF TEACHERS’
STRIKE
Biology teacher of Middle School No.50 Kh.Bolormaa stated that most parents are supporting teachers’ movement for a wage increase.
“Teachers at our school notified parents and guardians about the strike through letters and phone calls. We have been on strike since November 10. The duration of the strike hasn’t been specified. We will continue to strike until the Mongolian Education and Science Trade Unions tell us that they received a clear response and to officially stop our strike. We’re waiting to see what kind of a decision the government will make. We will keep parents informed,” she said.
Middle School No.50 has 85 teachers. Besides two teachers who were excused for personal reasons, all of them are participating in the strike, according to Kh.Bolormaa.
GOVERNMENT AGREE TO STOP
TEACHERS’ STRIKE
Cabinet Secretariat G.Zandanshatar discussed solutions for stopping teachers’ strike with Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sports Ts.Tsogzolmaa and Head of Mongolian Education and Science Trade Unions J.Batzorig on Tuesday afternoon.
During negotiations, G.Zandanshatar promised that the government will support teachers in every possible way and pay more attention to increase their base wage and incentives.
The sides agreed to stop teachers’ strike for students, parents as well as teachers. Minister Ts.Tsogzolmaa and J.Batzorig decided to discuss details of their bilateral agreement on the following day.
‘TEACHERS’ STRIKE ISN’T A JOKE’
Despite the agreement between the trade union and Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports, the temporary committee of public teachers demanding a pay increase held a press conference on November 14 and stated that teachers will not stop their protest until every member approves.
“This issue will not be over with the signing of an agreement between the higher-ups but when every teacher in Mongolia approves. If teachers don’t recognize the agreement, the temporary committee will see it as a serious violation and choose a stronger form of protest,” stated A.Sanjmyagtav, a committee member.
The committee affirmed that their strike isn’t a “joke” or a game for the government and trade unions.
“At first, we demanded to have our wages raised to 1.6 million MNT. But in consideration of the state’s economic situation, we conceded to getting a 50 percent pay increase. We will stand firm on this position,” A.Sanjmyagtav said.
Teachers also warned the trade union not to make arbitrary decisions unless it wants teachers to go against them as well.
As for the government’s promised incentive of 516,000 MNT, teachers said that it would end up as a “waste of money” and cannot become a real income to them.