The National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) has expressed discontent with the new enhanced salary structure for public servants describing it as selective. The organisation says that the increments in the structure, do not favour arts teachers in post-primary schools.
The new structure is embedded in salary review documents which the Ministry of Public Service recently submitted to the Finance Ministry for approval.
The structure gives Science teachers in the U4 salary scale a monthly earning of two million Shillings, up from 1.1 million Shillings. Science teachers under the U5 scale will be paid 1.75 million Shillings up from 625,000 million Shillings. However, NOTU members say that the decision to favor science teachers without any consideration to arts teachers is unfair.
Peter Christopher Werikhe, the NOTU Secretary General questions why priority is being given to science teachers yet their salaries had been increased by 30 percent under Uganda National Teachers Union-UNATU program.
Wilson Owere, the NOTU National Chairman says that selective increment of salaries is uncalled for. Owere says that the government should understand that arts teachers also have a very important role they play in the education sector and they should not be taken for granted. He adds the government needs to entertain full negotiations on salaries.
Zadock Tumuhimbise, the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) National chairperson says that the selective increment could divide the teaching force.
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