Mexican Teachers Unhappy with Wage Proposals, Threaten Protests During World Cup

Mexican public school teachers gathered in marches today, on Teacher's Day, demanding significant salary increases and threatening to launch large-scale protests on June 11, when the World Cup opens, if their demands are not met. AFP reported that about 3,000 members of the National Education Workers union marched in the streets of Mexico City, with police forming human walls to stop them from reaching the Ministry of Education. One protester carried a sign reading: 'Education is not a priority, million-dollar World Cup business is.' Another protester kicked a soccer ball while marching. The Mexican government and union leaders agreed to a 9% pay raise, but there is division within the union. One opposition faction is demanding a 100% raise. The starting monthly salary for Mexican public school teachers is equivalent to $967 (about NT$30,535). Filiberto Fraustro Orozco, a teacher from the northern state of Zacatecas, told AFP: 'We require the authorities to respond to our demands.' He stated that union members have agreed to launch intensive protests during the World Cup. In the past, teacher protests in Mexico have successfully paralyzed most of Mexico City for days by blocking major roads, including those to international airports. This World Cup is co-hosted by Mexico, the US, and Canada, and Mexico expects about 5 million tourists to visit because of the World Cup.