19 Jan 2015

Samoa teacher pay hike confirmed

1:28 pm on 19 January 2015

Hundreds of teachers of Samoa's public schools have been told by the prime minister at the opening of their annual conference that government will continue to increase their salaries.

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Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi's, comments comes after the opposition described the timing of the 21 percent increase to be paid out in three years, starting in 2015, as part of a political campaign ahead of next year's general election.

Tuila'epa says statesmen and wise government leaders have long-term visions to benefit the people.

But referring to the opposition, he says politicians have a short-term vision only to get support for an election.

The government teachers will get their first seven percent salary increase this week.

The Tautua Samoa opposition party is calling on the government to pay the 21 percent increase in full but Tuila'epa says government needs to carefully consider such a move because priority has also been given for other projects