‘PNGTA’s demands unrealistic’

THE recent demand by the Papua New Guinea Teachers Association executives for a 20% increase in salaries is “unrealistic and unsubstantial”, former National Capital District branch president, Andrew Nuabo said.
Nuabo said calls by the national president should not create high hopes for teachers as the government could not meet the 20% demand for 45,000 teachers at any financial year.
He said this after PNGTA lodged a submission last month to the Teaching Service Commission seeking an increase in salaries and allowances for teachers in the country.
“The government lacks capacity as noted in past negotiations.
“The teachers must know that the PNGTA administration is shifting the spot light away from the mess is has created over the past 24 months,” Nuabo said.
He said in November 2008 the union had signed a memorandum of agreement with the government to restructure all teachers from old to new grades under schedules one to five.
“To date about 60% of the teachers have not been paid their full outstanding entitlements and have not been moved to the new salary scale in the new agreement.
“The failure of the PNGTA administration to conduct checks and balances has resulted on teachers missing out on their entitlements,” Nuabo said.
Nuabo said the issue would continue to mislead and confuse teachers nationwide.
Meanwhile, PNGTA national general secretary Ugwalubu Mowana yesterday said Nuabo was a terminated teacher and member of the association with no credibility to comment on issues regarding the welfare of PNGTA.
He said Nuabo, who was terminated as a teacher in 2009 by the TSC and as a member of the PNGTA, did not have any right to comment on the 20% rise.
“I am not going to be pressured by an outsider regarding the 20% increase,” Mowana said.