Government, SLTU get first Bargaining Agreement in 26 Years
The last collective Bargaining Agreement to address the welfare of teachers between the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union and the Government of Sierra Leone was in 1996 during the regime of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC).
On Tuesday, 14th June at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, another bargaining agreement with the trade union group, (the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union) which saw several terms agreed upon including a 45% salary increase over the lifetime of the agreement.
The final negotiation meeting comprises the national and regional executives of the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU), Teaching Service Commission (TSC), Teachers’ Solidarity Movement (TSM), and other stakeholders in Education with Law Pa Momoh Fofana the Chairman of the Teaching Service Trade Group Negotiating Council.
Two Committees were set up and they are the Technical Committee and the Financial Committee.
During the final negotiating meeting, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Dr David Moinina Sengeh told teachers that the government is very serious about the negotiation and he wants the Union to take that to their members.
He said the collective bargaining agreement is one that other nations can copy from in Africa and the world over.
“Let me thank our teachers. We understand the sacrifices you make. We see you. We honour you. We love you. We know you care for this country and are committed to our shared prosperity. That is why we thank you for staying in the classrooms,” he said.
The Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Mr Sahr Jusu said that the leadership of both the Ministry of Finance and Basic Education have held several meetings with both the President and the Vice President in negotiating terms in order for school-going pupils to get the required education.
He reminded the teachers of the global economic crisis and other factors that are hindering the government’s desire to improve the condition of the teachers in the country.
After the passionate appeal by the Acting President of SLTU Mr Mohamed B. Bangura for a better bargain compared to what was given, the negotiation chairman Pa Momoh Momoh (Esq) craved the indulgence of the teachers to accept the government offer because of the current economic condition of the world and Sierra Leone in particular and assured them that they can always come back when the country’s economy is better.
Since the introduction of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE), there have been salary adjustments for teachers on five occasions; in 2018, there was a 10% increase in basic salaries as Transport allowance for teachers in Grades 1-6, and in 2019 30% salary increase for all teachers, in 2021 promotion and reassessment of 4,158 teachers (costing Le 15.7 billion) implemented in March 2021, in 2021 again promotion and reassessment of 1,083 teachers (costing Le 5 billion), and the recent increase.
