Teachers Strike For Higher Pay In Southern Kyrgyzstan

BAZAR-KORGON, Kyrgyzstan -- Secondary school teachers in Kyrgyzstan's southern Bazar-Korgon district are into the second week of a strike for higher pay, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

They are demanding a huge salary increase and land and allowances to build homes. On December 6, the district authorities promised each teacher in the region 10 kilograms of rice, one sack of flour, 5 kilograms of sugar, and 5 liters of vegetable oil.

One of the striking teachers, Kalil Karabaev, told RFE/RL that not all teachers have yet received that promised allowance. He said some 100 teachers continue to picket the district administration building.

Secondary schools teachers' average monthly salary is about $30-$40. The teachers in Bazar-Korgon are demanding $200 - $250.

Teachers in Kyrgyzstan's northern Jeti-Oguz district announced this week that they will go on strike on December 13 in solidarity with their colleagues in Bazar-Korgon.

Read in Kyrgyz here.