Education staffs in Rummamer want to be paid in Agok

Workers of the education sector in Rummamer County in the contested territory of Abyei have requested the Abyei Administration Area (AAA) to allow them receive their salaries in Agok area instead of Abyei town to mitigate physical fatigue and transport costs.

Workers of the education sector in Rummamer County in the contested territory of Abyei have requested the Abyei Administration Area (AAA) to allow them receive their salaries in Agok area instead of Abyei town to mitigate physical fatigue and transport costs.

 This comes after the ministry of education changed the old policy where its workers had to get their money locally in their schools.

The workers told the Abyei Today program that their money is being exhausted by transport and meals cost in Abyei town.

Elizabeth Ayel, a cleaner at Comboni Juoljok primary school in Agok, said she receives 600 SSP after three months and pays half of that money for transport and meals in Abyei town where she gets her salary.

For its part, teachers’ union gave the education ministry in the region three options; maintain the old system where money was being received in schools, appoint an accountant in county education directorate or give the task to the county headquarters.

Chol Pur, county education director, noted that the ministry said schools are on vacation and that it is not safe to send money there. He pledged to meet his boss in Abyei town to table the complaint raised by the workers.

Meanwhile, the County Commissioner, Malual Monyluak, said salaries are not released under his auspices.

Rummamer education workforce is nearly 221 teacher and worker.