A strike by thousands of primary, middle and high school teachers over salary issues this weekend in Henan is gathering momentum as the action has spread to five counties across the province.

Inspired by similar protests in Heilongjiang and neighbouring counties, around 1,000 teachers gathered in front of local government buildings in Huaibin County, holding banners reading, “Raise salaries. Improve the quality of education”.

School leaders managed to disperse some of the crowd but around ten people were hurt in a clash with police after they came to tear down the banners. Two female teachers were hospitalized in the process.

There is now talk of a continued strike as classes may be suspended this week.

Yu Jianwei, the husband of one of the injured protesters told the Global Times, "The monthly salary on average is about 1,600 RMB...In addition, our [living] stipends were often withheld or paid in arrears. Salary deduction sometimes happens in the name of [charitable] donations without our consent,"
Teachers in nearby Luoshan County also confirmed that although they received their 2014 bonuses, they did not receive any merit payment 2010-2013.

Source: Global Times

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Keywords: Henan Teachers Strike