Upping the ante in the GTU strike which entered its second week, the ministries of education and local government and regional development today said that those teachers who have been absent without excuse will not be paid and that this will be reflected in their March salaries.
In response, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) says it will challenge the decision in court.
A public notice signed by the permanent secretaries of the two ministries said that they had received from the 11 education districts a list of teachers who have not reported for duty at their assigned schools and who have not received the necessary leave approval and/or permission during the school week ending February 9th 2024.
“This unauthorized absence constitutes a breach of their conditions of service and their statutory duties and attracts legal sanctions”, the notice said.
As a result, the ministries advised that the teachers will not be paid for the days on which they were absent without permission and this “will be reflected in the March 2024 salaries in accordance with the law”.
In a statement released shortly after, the GTU said it was aware of the notice in circulation by the two ministries about teachers’ pay being docked.
“I assure you that the GTU will challenge this undemocratic decision of the government in the courts of Guyana. We have followed the requisite legal steps with adequate notification for this strike action.
“Colleagues, let us not be intimidated by a group that believes Guyana belongs to them. The struggle continues. We will intensify the action in the coming days and weeks”, a release from the GTU said.
