Bangla school teachers march for higher wages

DHAKA, June 15: Thousands of teachers from government-run primary schools marched through the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, today demanding higher wages, witnesses said.

The protesters want the existing monthly wage of 3,000 taka (43 dollars) for a junior teacher to be increased to 5,000 taka.

''We seek intervention of our prime minister for enhancement of our wages,'' Abul Kalam Azad, president of Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association, told a pre-march rally of some 15,000 teachers.

The association warned that its members could go on strike if the government does not raise wages.

The protest by government primary teachers follows similar action by teachers at private primary schools late last month.

REUTERS