Teachers protest over non-payment of salary

Dubai: Teachers of a private school in Dubai are staging a protest today at the school alleging non-payment of salaries and airfare.

However, the management of Nibras International School at Dubai Investment Park said deductions were made because of a breach of contract.

Teachers who spoke to Gulf News said they were made to sign a contract in Arabic with the Ministry of Education after the school assured them that it was a replica of the English contract they signed in their home countries while being recruited.

"However, now it appears that it is different. I came here on a one-year contract and now the school maintains that the Ministry of education contract is for three years and hence I have breached it," said Erin Wicker, a teacher from Canada.

Wicker said eight of her colleagues are planning to protest against the school's unfairness.

"The school has deducted the airfare from my June salary and I have not been paid for the month of August. My ticket is booked for June 24 and I want them to resolve this issue before that," said the teacher.

Another teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity said she is in a similar situation where the school is not paying her salary for the months of July and August, including airfare.

Responding to the allegations, the school management maintained that they are following the UAE labour laws and have not flouted the rules.

"The contract teachers signed was both in Arabic and English. And it is clearly mentioned that if they breach the contract, there would be some consequences," said a school official, adding that the teachers could approach the Ministry of Labour with complaints.