BANGKOK, 18 September 2013 A group of contract teachers protesting in front of the Government House has dispersed after being reassured by the government it will process their request for salary adjustment to match the Government’s minimum wage policy.
Earlier, more than 2,000 contract teachers gathered to demand the Government to adjust their salaries in accordance with the minimum wage policy of 15,000 baht and to extend the contract term from 1 year per contract to 4 years. They also demanded that the Ministry of Education recruit them as civil servants.
Receiving the official complaint letter from the group on Tuesday were Education Minister Jaturon Chaisang, Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich, and Secretary General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission Shinnapat Bhumirat.
In his talk with the protesters, Minister Jaturon said their demands had already been on the Ministry’s plan and being processed. He also showed the document proving that the Ministry had forwarded the matter to the Cabinet for consideration.
He said he would fight to put the matter for the consideration of the ministerial council next month, but could not specify the exact date.
He also stressed that the approval for the requests does not lie within the Education Ministry.
After hearing the detailed clarification, the protesters dispersed, saying that they would be eagerly waiting for a reply from the government.
