The ministry said the names of those owed have been submitted to the Accountant General for payment at the end of this month. “In view of the forgoing, the union regards this as practical commitment on the part of the ministry and as such, lifts the moratorium that was imposed on working on rest days and carrying out overtime activities, and advises the BOSETU membership, and teachers in general to engage on overtime activities upon agreement with the supervisors,” said BOSETU secretary general Tobokani Rari in a correspondence to the members on Monday this week. Last month, BOSETU told the members to abstain from carrying out overtime activities and working on rest days. The union had wanted the ministry to provide a written explanation regarding the status of payments of accrued overtime arrears as agreed at the sectoral bargaining forum. It also wanted the ministry to state its position on its commitment to pay overtime allowances.
The ministry has since provided a response to the Union on the two issues. The ministry has reiterated its commitment to paying future claims and sticking to the statutes regulating overtime.
