Thousands of teachers across Papua New Guinea launched a nationwide strike on May 10 to demand a 4% pay rise and 7% housing allowance increase. Teachers ignored an Industrial Registrar ruling that the strike was illegal. An agreement was signed by the PNG Teachers Association and the Teaching Services Commission on May 12 for the claims to be dealt with by an arbitration tribunal. Prime Minister Michael Somare then called on the teachers to resume their duties, but they said they wouldn't return to work until the money was paid into their bank accounts.
From Green Left Weekly, May 24, 2006.
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