Port-au-Prince municipal teachers are blocking the mayor's office's tax collection

Teachers at Port-au-Prince municipal schools blocked the city hall's tax services on Tuesday, November 10, the second day of their strike. They are demanding the payment of five months of back wages. The movement began on Monday, November 9, to obtain a pay raise in the face of the ever-rising cost of living.

What the strikers are demanding

Everything that follows comes from the teachers. Their salaries have reportedly not changed in three years and remain below 20,000 gourdes per month. They consider this situation untenable, given the deterioration of their living conditions.

In addition to the pay raise and arrears, they are denouncing the lack of social protection. They say they have no health insurance, even though their profession exposes them to risks.

They also criticize city hall officials for not caring about the situation of municipal and communal schools, nor the difficulties faced by their staff.

A conditional end to the movement

During a press conference, teacher Widdens Othello denounced the way municipal authorities treat teachers. According to him, they continue to teach at the risk of their lives in areas where insecurity is rampant.

The strikers say they no longer want promises. They will only suspend their action if all their demands are met.

An appeal to the minister

The teachers are appealing to the Minister of the Interior and Territorial Collectivities, Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé. They are asking him to examine the working conditions of municipal employees and to intervene to resolve the crisis.

They are maintaining the strike while awaiting a response. It is not known when classes will resume in the capital's municipal schools.