Tonga - schools smashed - 200 arrested!

[ Update ] Four government vehicles have been set on fire outside the tax and customs department in Tonga early yesterday morning. [ Report and Photos ]

"The police have arrested over 200 students who allegedly smashed windows and property in the administration building and then broke car windows before marching toward town" reports Matangi Tonga, an independent newspaper. [ Report ] The students were arrested and then taken to the central police station on buses. Students are angered over the government’s removal yesterday of their principal and head tutor during Tonga’s ongoing civil service strike.

This is the latest incident in the ongoing disputes in Tonga against the Monarchy and in support of the strike of teachers, health workers and public servants. Tonga's 3000 public servants went on strike over three weeks ago after lower tier workers, who earn as little as $47 a week, were awarded pay rises as low as 1 percent.

The members of New Zealand’s largest education union, New Zealand Education Institute - Te Riu Roa, are supporting striking teachers, health workers and public servants in Tonga. "NZEI members have no hesitation in supporting the action being taken by the Tongan teachers, health workers and public servants for a fairer distribution of pay among the workers employed by the government in Tonga," says NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Colin Tarr. [ Press Release ]

The Prime Minister, Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, also accused 'Akilisi Pohiva of being a 'trouble maker'. Pohiva is a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement.

The King and his ministers (appointed by the King) have made efforts to end the strike. However, the strikers refused to meet and discuss their grievances with the government delegation.

Related

http://planet-tonga.com/HRDMT

http://www.matangitonga.to/article/global_index.shtml