How about paying for what you get?

When you're an independent observer like me, you get told things. Things that upset people. Things that they can't tell anyone else. It does people good to know that someone else knows of their problems, and maybe will help do something about it.

I wish I could. I so wish I could.

When I was out on my teach the teachers project, I heard something very disturbing. Not exactly surprising, knowing the governments we've had, but disturbing nonetheless.

Our teachers aren't getting paid!

Yes, I know they're on strike. And yes, I know the government closed schools to minimise the effect of the strike. But this isn't about that.

What I heard, was something that, I think, affects us all. Apparently, the Government owes the teachers money. Not small amounts either. Some in the tens of thousands of rupees. This is money in bonuses, extra duuty pay, and other extra money that is due to the teachers. Whether you agree with the salary levels or not, the unarguable fact is that the money is owed to them.

So what happens when the Government owes the money to these teachers? They keep pushing back the payment dates. Further, and further back. And then, one day, they put out a Gazette notice that since (for example) 5 years have passed without payment, that money will no longer be paid.

I was speaking to a teacher who was owed LKR25,000 since 1990, and then was told that since his debt was so old, he wouldn't be getting paid. So this is not just a PA government issue. It has been a policy of successive governments to not pay their debts. This is the way things have operated. This teacher would be happy to get just what was owed to him. But I would be wanting the money, and interest. After all, 25,000 1990 rupees is worth a lot more now.

Most of you who are reading this work. How would you feel if your employer kept pushing back the payment of some extra money that was owed to you, and then says Well, it's been five years, so I won't be paying it to you after all?

How would you feel?

Imagine how these guys must be feeling. I, for one, believe that our teachers are not being paid enough. I remember what kind of hellion I was in school and I know they weren't paid enough to deal with me. I believe we should demand more education and more services out of our teachers than just the spoon-fed pap we give our kids. But I think that they, more than any other Government servant, should be paid a lot more.

And I think we should pay all the employees what we owe them.

Really. Ministers are willing to make commitments to pay people when they strike and not follow through. I think that should stop. But I also think that what is owed should be paid. And that should be done before The Beast goes off on another tour to China or before the ministers get new cars, or anything.

What can we do? they told me. Our union doesn't do anything to help, they claimed. Well, from my point of view, there is only one solution. It's time to bring out the lawyers. Screaming, shouting, and striking will get you nowhere. But a good lawyer, and a case in the Supreme Courts - especially in front of Sarath Silva - would make a difference for everyone. The ideal would be to get the Government to pay what is owed, with interest, and the costs of bringing them to courts.

Governments have responsibilities to shoulder. Whether it is Blue, Green, Red, or Pink and Purple Polka-dots, if they owe people, they owe people. It is not a privilege for us to get money that is owed us from the Government. It is a right! And it is time we started to exercise our rights.