Teachers Protest 25 Percent Salary Deduction Without Consent
Borkena
Toronto – Over 60 teachers have reportedly been arrested this week in southern Ethiopia for protesting salary cuts imposed without their consent. However, the administration of Sarmale district claims that the teachers were arrested for allegedly inciting protests, according to a VOA Amharic report on Friday.
Yonathan Zebdewos, a VOA Amharic reporter in the area, confirmed that the families of the arrested teachers have corroborated the report.
The arrests began on Wednesday, as teachers were detained in connection with their protests.
Wz. Mastewal Abraham, wife of one of the arrested teachers, explained to reporters, “Her husband is among those arrested. They were taken to prison after asking about their salaries.”
She added, “The area has been in turmoil from Wednesday until today.” Reports indicate that police have beaten the teachers, and some have sustained injuries. Many teachers reportedly require medical attention but have not been allowed access to it.
The protests began after teachers noticed unauthorized salary deductions starting in August of this year.
The Teachers’ Association in the district has confirmed the arrests. Teachers went on strike after their demands for the recovery of their salaries were ignored.
Aster Abebe, another woman whose husband was arrested, explained that the arrests followed protests against the forced salary deductions.
“My husband is in prison. When they asked the district to refund the deducted salaries and were told no, he stopped teaching,” she said.
Worede Wakiso, a teacher in the district, confirmed that there are 683 teachers in the area, with more than 60 currently arrested. He stated that the arrested teachers are being held at the Sarmale district police station. “No one seems to be talking about it,” he said.
Worede further stated that the 25 percent salary deduction was implemented without any discussions with school principals or supervisors.
The teachers argue that there has been no national emergency to justify such deductions, especially in light of the rising cost of living.
According to Worede, the salary deductions were a decision made by the district’s ruling political party branch. However, the reasoning behind the mandatory salary deductions remains unclear.
Earlier this year, teachers in Wolaita Zone, in southern Ethiopia, also protested due to several months of unpaid salaries for public servants, including teachers.
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