Commission’s action not helping teachers

TEACHERS across the country have denied their rightful pay increment since 2019.
This matter was taken up with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) by PNG Teachers’ Association (PNGTA) last year based on the log of claims agreed to by both parties. PNGTA has made six attempts for a roundtable dialogue regarding teachers’ salary increments and other allowances.
The TSC, as the teachers’ employer, has denied its employees – teachers – their rights for increment using the court cases between the current PNGTA executives and the former executives as an excuse to not meet with the association.
These court cases are strictly between the former executives and the current ones, which means the commission is not a party to these cases.
However, the commission’s refusal to entertain the salary fixation agreement with PNGTA is clearly depriving the rights of all teachers in Papua New Guinea.
While the court cases are on foot, PNGTA fails to understand why TSC is using these court cases as an excuse not to involve the Education Department, provincial education boards and divisions of education in provinces in addressing teachers’ concerns.
There are no court orders preventing the association from performing its mandated roles and responsibilities.
While TSC continuously delays dialogue with PNGTA, teachers are further deprived of a fair updated salary fixation agreement, including other allowances as per international labour laws related conventions.
PNGTA believes that this is complete injustice by the teachers’ employer.
As this saga continues, PNGTA appeals to the commission to find neutral ground to address the salary fixation agreement, including other allowances for all teachers.

Aita Sanangkepe,
PNGTA President