Primary school teachers in Bayelsa State have threatened industrial action over their exclusion from the recently disbursed 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

The teachers, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), urged the state government and local government councils to urgently address the situation.

They said they were excluded from the payment, despite other categories of civil servants and public workers receiving the allowance alongside their October salaries.

In a communiqué issued by the leadership of the NUT’s eight local government branches, the union described the exclusion as unacceptable, humiliating and an act of marginalisation against primary school teachers in the state.

The union argued that teachers face the same economic realities as other public servants, particularly the rising costs of food, transportation and other essential commodities. It insisted that they should not be treated differently in the implementation of workers’ welfare packages.

The teachers said they patronise the same markets and contend with the same economic challenges as other government employees, making their exclusion from the allowance difficult to justify.

The NUT consequently called on the Bayelsa State Government and local government authorities to ensure the immediate payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance to all eligible primary school teachers.

It also demanded the full payment of six months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage increments, as well as an immediate upward review of the monthly running costs and imprest allocated to headmasters and principals.

The union maintained that addressing the outstanding welfare concerns was necessary to protect teachers’ livelihoods, sustain their morale and promote industrial harmony in the state’s primary education sector.

It warned that failure to address the demands could compel it to resort to constitutional and industrial action to protect the interests of its members.

The communiqué was signed by the chairpersons of the NUT’s eight local government branches across Bayelsa State.

They are Mr Ekereke Aruaman, Ogbia; Comrade Ikiba Clinton Izibenidie, Yenagoa; Mr Tarabina Ebikibina, Kolokuma/Opokuma; and Akadah Emomotimi, Sagbama.

Others are Mr Dokubo Innocent, Brass; Mr Amakiri Idibiye, Nembe; Mr Koko Michael Opuru, Ekeremor; and Mr Ofongo Rose, Southern Ijaw. (The Nation)