By William Madouk
Court hearing involving Melut County in Upper Nile State and thirty-eight terminated teachers has been postponed to November 20 by the Juba High Court on Thursday.
Ustaz Amukpiu Bol Meen, a representative of the dismissed Melut teachers, informed No.1 Citizen Newspaper that the court session was adjourned due to delays in showing up in time.
“We were about to have a court session today but the dependent delayed just to turn up at late hours. So, the court adjourned the sitting to Wednesday, November 20, 2024,” Meen said.
It all started in October this year when a group of 38 teachers in Upper Nile State’s Melut County filed a lawsuit at Juba High Court over nonpayment of alleged salaries and benefits.
Disgruntled teachers claimed that their industrial action resulted in the dismissal of some colleagues without pay and threats of further punitive measures against any dissenting voices.
“They have been summoned several times and they refused, they have been ordered by the legal officer in the Ministry of Labor and they have refused they didn’t show up at the labour ministry,” Meen explained.
“Then the labour decided to refer a case to the High court of South Sudan, so today we are being there because last week they were been given a summon and they didn’t show up,” he added.
Mr. Meen stated that he was among 100 teachers dispatched to Upper Nile as educators under the Melut Community Development Committee (CDC), who allegedly failed to remit their salaries.
He noted that they are seeking justice from the Melut county education department, the CDC to clear their 10-month salary arrears, and benefits, summing up to USD 200,700.050.
Ustaz Meen affirmed that they would remain adamant until their grievances are addressed.
Moreover, Meen stated that he would accept reinstatement, citing safety concerns and adding that they no longer need teachers otherwise they wouldn’t have terminated them.
Melut County CDC Chairperson, Samuel Ayuel, said they were aware of the lawsuit and were seeking to dialogue with the disgruntled individuals.
“We have been talking to them. What they need from us is the money for February and incentives of October 2022 for some. Some were dismissed for misbehaviour, but we are willing to dialogue because they served our community, and we are not supposed to have a conflict with them. However, they are refusing to dialogue and declined the February pay, and preferred going to court,” he said.