Maseru, Mar.01– Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT) during its 9th national biennial conference held in Maseru from February 26-March 01, has strongly expressed their rejection of the proposed two percent salary increment demanding 25 percent increase instead.
According to the statement, the conference wants the government’s contribution towards the pension fund to be adjusted by five percent more while still maintaining the employee’s contribution at five percent saying if there is no significant progress until September this year, a dispute should be declared.
The conference has also resolved that the union robustly advocate for the decolonization of Lesotho’s education system, urging the government to fully fund public education.
“The National Executive Committee of LAT should negotiate for an open-ended medical aid, where both the employer and employee equally contribute. LAT leadership should also make follow-ups on the members arrears (expected to be paid within two first months of fiscal year) and grievances,” said the conference.
Moreover, the conference affirmed the centrality of LAT in advancing the educators’ rights, decent work, job creation, professional development and collective bargaining.
The Conference noted that the period under review was marked/characterised by challenges as well as triumphs that reflected the resilience, unity and unwavering commitment of members to the cause of quality education and the protecting of teachers’ rights in the country.
The National Biennial Conference recommitted LAT to heighten the voices of teachers across the country and strengthen initiatives undertaken to improve working conditions and advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring that education remains a cornerstone of national development. Additionally, the conference noted with concern, disappointment and anger that the item on Official Opening by the Minister responsible for Education and Training could not be rendered due to the absence of the Minister without any apology.
The National Biennial Conference viewed this snubbing of the Union as deliberate, uncivil towards the teachers of Lesotho and vowed not to let this lie down without being challenged.
On the other hand, the conference has declared among others that the core mandate of LAT is to defend teachers’ rights and their welfare, advocate for inclusive, quality education for all and address any matter of national interest; the dire need for LAT to reclaim and retain organisational power; Repercussions of a colonised curriculum characterised by limited relevance, skyrocketing unemployment, rampant crime and cultural disconnect; Challenges of austerity measures on public education including, inter alia, teacher shortage, unfunded early childhood education; The long and dehumanizing treatment of teachers by the government through enormous arrears, discriminatory and degrading career and salary structure; myriad of challenges in relation to workplace relations between teachers and principals all resulting in increasing disciplinary inquiries some of which resulting dismissals.
The National Biennial Conference is convened in terms of the constitution of LAT, Clause 16.1, that “The National Congress shall be the supreme governing body of the Union and shall meet at least once every two years which may be referred as the National Biennial Conference”. The constitution further directs that “National Biennial Conference shall adopt policies and resolutions in furtherance of the aims and objects of the Union”.
The National Biennial Conference was joined by other sister Unions from different countries in the continent, being SADTU, SNAT, BTU, TTU, NANTU and ZIMTA who presented valuable solidarity messages to the delegates.
The Conference was also graced by the presence of representatives from the National Labour Centre, FELETU, and local unions – LEPOSA, NACTWU, LESPA, LeNMO and LEPEU.
Ends/AT/ml
