Teachers’ strike postpones start of school year
LIBYA – Two news reports by AFP and Reuters said education workers across Libya were mobilising for a strike to demand better conditions.
Higher salaries, health insurance and compensation
The two reports, as summarised by Al-Marsad, said education workers’ demands include higher salaries, health insurance and compensation for overtime.
1.6 million students and an indefinite postponement
The reports said classes for about 1.6 million students and pupils in state schools had been due to start in early September, before being postponed indefinitely amid the continuing strike and protests.
Large pay gaps, according to the union
The reports added that state salaries vary by sector, while the General Teachers’ Union says pay gaps for education workers are large and unfair.
Meetings on health insurance
They noted that the Ministry of Education in the Dbeibah government had held several meetings on the health-insurance demands but had not, according to the two reports, commented so far on the pay-related demands.
Shortages of equipment and dilapidated school desks
The reports noted that teachers face difficulties including a shortage of computer labs and dilapidated school desks unfit for use, which often leaves staff and parents to cover the cost of some equipment themselves.
