October 1 marked a milestone in resolving the long-standing dispute involving teachers across the country, following the industrial strike that began in June last year.
For the first time, a joint taskforce made up of the Vanuatu Teachers’ Union (VTU), the Teaching Service Commission, and the Ministry of Education has commenced verification of teachers’ claims.
Speaking to VBTC News this morning, VTU Secretary General Jonathan Yonah said he was pleased that the three institutions were able to put aside differences and work together to find a lasting solution.
“VTU is happy to socially dialogue again, to put some differences aside and see what the government can do now. Some payments have already been made, and the remaining will need to go back into the collective bargaining agreement to sign with a timeframe. Once we sign the collective bargaining, the strike will be called off. This is what the government wants to see, the sooner the better, to come up with real data for the government to commit itself,” Mr. Yonah said.
The verification process is expected to pave the way for an official agreement that could finally end the teachers’ strike.