Mayotte Teachers Threaten Strike as Wage Crisis Deepens
Mayotte – Contract teachers in Mayotte are escalating protests over unpaid wages, with unions issuing a strike notice for next Tuesday if a resolution isn’t reached. Demonstrators marched on the rectorate and departmental council today,voicing frustration over delayed payments and insufficient emergency measures. The dispute centers on a failure to anticipate contract issues, leaving some educators facing eviction.
The ongoing crisis stems from a lack of preparedness regarding teacher contracts, according to Jean-François Pollozec, regional secretary of Unsa Education. “We knew that contracts would be problematic. I had alerted from August,” Pollozec stated. “An emergency system could be prepared, but nothing has been done. Result: some young teachers find themselves expelled from their accommodation.” The situation highlights chronic challenges in Mayotte’s education system, a French overseas territory facing unique logistical and financial hurdles.
After hours of demonstration, unions met with Valérie Debuchy, rector of the academy, behind closed doors. Debuchy reportedly instructed unpaid staff to identify themselves to school leaders, promising an emergency payroll file requesting 800 euros in deposits be sent to Reunion payments for expedited processing.
Tho, unions deem the proposed deposit insufficient and inequitable. While a full wage regularization is tentatively projected for December, no firm timeline has been provided. “A deposit is not a salary!” protestors chanted during their march, wich included a loop past the Zakia Madi roundabout.
The strike notice underscores the growing desperation among Mayotte’s educators, who are demanding immediate and complete payment of owed wages. Shanyce Mathias reported this story.
