A potential showdown is looming in the public sector wage negotiations as the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) intensifies calls for a 50 per cent increase in base pay, citing the country’s worsening cost of living and economic hardships.
The demand comes ahead of scheduled negotiations between organised labour and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, where salary adjustments for 2026 will be on the table.
TEWU argues that the sharp rise in fuel prices, utility tariffs, and general inflation has wiped out much of workers’ purchasing power, leaving many struggling to make ends meet despite being in full-time employment.
“The real value of workers’ salaries has been severely eroded,” the union stated. “We are not asking for luxury — we are asking for fairness and survival.”
While government officials have not ruled out the possibility of an adjustment, Employment and Labour Relations Minister Dr. Rashid Pelpuo has hinted that any increment must reflect the state’s fiscal realities.
“We understand the concerns of our workers, but we must also act responsibly within what the economy can sustain,” Dr. Pelpuo said, adding that government remains committed to dialogue and fair resolution.
The upcoming negotiations are expected to be one of the most critical in recent years, as unions press for substantial salary improvements amid persistent economic headwinds.
Labour analysts predict intense discussions in the coming weeks as both sides seek a middle ground between workers’ welfare and the government’s limited fiscal space.
