West Kutai. Thousands of state school teachers in Kutai Barat Regency, deep in East Kalimantan, have gone on strike from September 17 to 19.

The strike is a protest against the policy of cutting the Employee Income Allowance, known as TPP, which they consider unfair.

A representative of the Kutai Barat teachers’ communication forum, Martin, said they demand that teachers’ TPP be equalized with the structural officials’ allowance so that there is no disparity. The principle of TPP distribution, he stressed, must be based on fairness and aimed at the collective welfare of employees in Kutai Barat.

“We are demanding justice, and we also strongly reject any future TPP cuts,” he said on Thursday.

According to him, around 5,000 teachers from 151 schools took part in the strike. Although they realize the action will affect thousands of students, he said the strike cannot be stopped because teachers in Kutai Barat feel they are not prospering.

“Officials also have children taught by us. They should be thinking about teachers’ welfare, not just their own,” he emphasized.

Martin explained that they had repeatedly sought clarity on TPP through peaceful means, from hearings and meetings with members of the Kutai Barat Regional House of Representatives, to directly meeting the regent. However, the government has never responded to their demands. If the demands are ignored until September 19, they are ready to bear the consequences.

“The regent has received us well, but until now our demands have not been fulfilled. That’s why we agreed to strike until these demands are approved. If after mediation there is still no response, we are ready to face all the risks,” he said.

Martin pointed out that structural officials receive allowances of up to Rp 5.7 million ($345) after health insurance deductions, while teachers only receive Rp 2.3 million, even though their ranks and grades are equivalent. This disparity, he said, is what has caused unrest.

“We are seeking justice. Our rights as civil servants must be equal, as this is also regulated by law. When we raised these demands, the government argued that teachers are not allowed to receive regional TPP. This confuses us, because we are also regional employees,” he explained.

Maria, a teacher from Barong Tongkok Junior High School 1, said the strike threatens students’ learning activities. However, she admitted that they could not do anything since their welfare was not being fulfilled by the local government.

“The children are about to face their mid-semester exams, and the teachers cannot even provide online lessons. We hope the government will soon deliver justice so the children do not become victims,” she said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Kutai Barat Education Office, Bandarsyah, acknowledged that teachers’ welfare is an important issue that requires serious attention from the local government.

“We understand the concerns of our fellow teachers. The government also wants to give them proper recognition in line with their dedication. However, as government employees, we are also bound by regulations,” he said.

Bandarsyah added that they are currently reviewing and collecting data, involving the State Administration Agency, to ensure fair results and to reduce the disparities that teachers have long complained about.

“We want to ensure that in the future, this policy will be more equitable and acceptable to all parties,” he concluded.