Huge demonstration in front of ParliamentEducation inspectors and motorcyclists protest [Archives:2006/920/Local News]

SANA'A, Feb. 11 ) Masses of education inspectors and motorcyclists held a huge demonstration in front of Parliament. Inspectors raised signboards while motorcyclists and their sons held gas lamps to protest government decrees against their interests.

The Yemeni Teachers Syndicate (YTS) called for all inspectors to demonstrate against a decree issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE). The MoE issued the decree ordering all Yemeni inspectors to teach in schools again instead of working as inspectors and supervisors. So, the inspectors gathered in front of Parliament requesting the government cancel 2006 Ministerial decree No. 11. YTS considers the decree as an obstacle on employees in the inspection field.

Outraged inspectors stated that the ministerial decree never considered experienced inspectors who spent many hard years working in inspection and evaluation. They claimed the MoE will appoint others who are not as well trained and don't have sufficient experience. The inspectors also pointed out that many authors and consultants appointed by the decree will lose their positions.

YTS and the Education Professionals Syndicate (EPS) will organize protest activities beginning Tuesday throughout all government offices to demand and implement the government's salaries and wages law.

YTS Chairman Ahmed Naser Al-Rabahi said the two syndicates will cooperate to contact all those concerned with protesting. They also will inform authorities about their programs and demonstrations, such as Parliament and ministries and offices of local authorities, according to the Yemeni Constitution and law, which guarantee the right to protest and hold peaceful demonstrations.

Al-Rabahi added that Yemeni teachers' demands are lawful and are based on low salaries and wages. He said the educational profession should be considered so teachers can receive a good standard of living to achieve their educational missions well. If the government will not respond to teachers' demands, they will go on public strike next March.

Motorcyclists' demand the government let them work, now that its one-month parliamentary indulgence has ended. Parliament's Transport and Communication Committee (PTCC) gave the government one month to solve the motorcyclists' problems, but until now, problems still are without resolution. So motorcyclists demonstrated, demanding the government allow them to work in the Capital Secretariat, compensate those motorcyclists who were seized and provide them official jobs. Otherwise, the motorcycles will be returned to their owners.

Last June, the government prohibited motorcyclists from working inside Sana'a and seized 1,500 motorcycles. After motorcyclists held many demonstrations, the government limited the ban to only motorcyclists from outside Sana'a and those without legal license. Motorcyclists demonstrated and rejected PTCC recommendations.
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