School cleaners get wage hike

In a press conference on Thursday, the Finance Minister, Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo, announced the increase of primary school and state colleges’ cleaners’ salary from Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,500. Payment of the new salary will take effect as from 1st January 2016. They will also get an additional compensation of Rs 5,000 as en of year bonus. Trade Unionists Reaz Chuttoo and Jane Ragoo showed their satisfaction. “We battled over the past three years. These women were getting only Rs 1,500 per month. It was only last year that they started to earn Rs 2,000. If they were absent, their wages were reduced. They faced many problems. This government is committed to solve problems,” Jane Ragoo stated.