Libyan Teachers' Movement Rejects Resuming Studies, Unions in Other Cities Declare Comprehensive Strike

The Libyan teachers' movement in Misrata has announced its rejection of resuming studies, emphasizing that they will not return to schools until all their financial rights are obtained. During a protest, the movement renounced any statements issued by education monitoring bodies aimed at ending the sit-in, stressing their continued comprehensive strike. The protesters highlighted their main demands, including a unified salary scale, payment of delayed differences for 8 years, activation of health insurance, and granting all distinction allowances.

The movement stressed that the decision to end the sit-in lies solely with the teachers, their unions, and school principals, and not with the Ministry of Education or its monitoring bodies, which they described as negative. They are awaiting a crucial meeting between the General Teachers' Union and some parties to determine their fate. This development comes as the teachers' strike in Libya, which began this year in September, has had several notable stations, including an agreement between the General Teachers' Union and the National Unity Government in October.

The agreement between the General Teachers' Union and the National Unity Government was met with outright rejection from the field movement. Subsequently, the House of Representatives discussed the crisis and its repercussions after electing a new head, Abdulnabi Al-Salheen, who called on teachers to return to their schools and resume the educational process. However, the teachers' unions in several municipalities and regions have announced their support for the strike.

The protests have expanded with the issuance of official statements from educational and union entities in several municipalities and regions, declaring a comprehensive strike. These include the teachers' unions in the central region, education monitoring bodies, and school principals in Benghazi. Additionally, the Tripoli Center Teachers' Union, as well as unions in the western region, including Zawiya, have joined the strike.

The western region unions that have joined the strike include those in Zawiya, south Zawiya, west Zawiya, Sorman, Sabratha, Ajilat, Al-Jadidah, Zuwara al-Kubra, Al-Jamil, Al-Manashiyah, Riqdalin, and Zlitan. Moreover, the movements and unions of teachers in Misrata, Qasr Khiyar, Al-Khums, Drag, Qaminis, and Al-Asabah have also supported the strike.

The strike has become widespread, with various educational and union entities joining in. The teachers are demanding improved financial conditions and benefits, including a unified salary scale and health insurance. The situation remains tense as the strike continues, with no immediate resolution in sight.

Key points of the teachers' demands include a unified salary scale, payment of delayed financial differences, and activation of health insurance. The strike has disrupted the educational process, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The government and educational authorities are yet to respond to the teachers' demands.

Key points

• Libyan teachers reject resuming studies until financial rights are obtained.
• Unions in several cities declare a comprehensive strike in support of the teachers' demands.
• The strike disrupts the educational process, with an uncertain outcome.