The Angolan Higher Education Teachers' Union (SINPES) decided yesterday, Friday, May 26, to suspend the strike that has been going on for almost three months, since February 27.
According to the source, the teachers' strike has been suspended for 30 days in order "not to jeopardize the academic year" and to give the Ministry of Higher Education time to respond "to the teachers' demands".
The Angolan Higher Education Professors met with the government on February 17. At the time, the minister declared that "the two fractious points had not been answered. Since then there has been no resumption of dialogue," acknowledges the union leader. The two sticking points between the Angolan government and the teaching profession concern "decent salaries" and "obtaining health insurance".
"The strike had a membership of 99% and ended with 91.5% of membership. If during this 30-day period the government doesn't solve the problems and doesn't want to negotiate, of course on June 27 we will resume the strike and the responsibility will remain with the government," said Eduardo Peres.
The teachers are demanding eight points, including four key ones: funding for scientific research, continuing training, decent salaries and health insurance.
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