Honduran Teachers Strike For Back Pay

TEGUCIGALPA – More than 2 million Honduran public school students have not been able to attend class since July 14 because their teachers are striking for back pay.

Last week, the teachers paralyzed middle schools and then decided to extend their strike to primary and secondary schools.

The strike was called by the FOMH teachers union, which is also demanding the creation of 1,313 new teaching positions and the payment of some $52 million that the government owes the teachers’ healthcare and retirement fund.

Education Minister Marlon Breve said the teachers decided to go on strike despite the fact that a meeting between him and the leaders of the six teachers’ organizations comprising the FOMH was scheduled for July 14.

In addition, President Manuel Zelaya was also scheduled to receive the teachers this week. Breve acknowledged that the government owes back pay from last February on to more than 3,000 teachers and last week he announced that the payments will be made by July 23, at the latest.