Matric markers still not paid as union threatens strike action
While the department of education hoped to have paid all matric examination markers in Limpopo by the second week in February, South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) members have threatened to go on strike should they not be paid by the end of January.
POLOKWANE – While the department of education hoped to have paid all matric examination markers in Limpopo by the second week in February, South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) members have threatened to go on strike should they not be paid by the end of January.
Education spokesperson Paena Galane said the issue was a “complex matter”.
“As you are aware the department is working within regulated working hours as we are unable to pay overtime, due to limited resources. The size of the claims is too big to be undertaken within this regulated hours. But we have been able to honour at least 30% of the claims and we believe we will finalise all claims within second week of February,” he said.
The provincial secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in Limpopo, Matome Rapasha noted earlier this week “with disgust” the failure of the department of education to pay markers timeously.
“It seems this is a new trend that markers in Limpopo are paid two to three months after marking. This is contrary to the past when markers were paid immediately after completing their work. Markers in other provinces were paid long ago,” he claimed.
