Cairo, Egypt - Continued wage protest by thousands of Egyptian public school teachers may delay the opening of the new school year on 17 Sept. Angered by what they considered their low wages, the teachers are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister and the minister of education.

They are also threatening an open-ended strike.

The government has warned it would not negotiate with any striking group, and vowed to enforce laws criminalising strikes and sit-ins at work.

The teachers’ demands include salary increase, higher benefits and permanent contracts for the thousands who have been working for years on short-term contracts.

According to official statistics, public school teachers are among the least paid civil servants in Egypt.

Government initiatives to improve teachers' income have not succeeded.

Observers fear the education ministry may be forced to postpone the start of the new school year, if the standoff is not resolved.

Pana 15/09/2011