The past weeks in northeastern China have been tainted with protests from thousands of teachers as they went on strikes to complain about their low wages and their forced contributions for their pension plans.

The protests just ended last week and it was deemed as one of the several protests that have rapidly spread throughout the town and cities in the said area of China.

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One teacher has released a statement when interviewed and said that she just wanted to have her salary raised and was not comparing it to other teachers however, she pointed out that she wants the salary she deserves.

Being a teacher in China is one of the lowest paid professions in the country but what really made the teachers protest is that the government in Heilongjiang Province recently announced their plan or requiring teachers to contribute to the pension plans. This is something new to the teachers as it was not a practice in the past.

Teachers who have just started in the industry get only US$160 per month while those who have been in the industry for more years earn US$400 a month. And the contribution for their pension plan is too much if it will still be deducted from their salary.

The protests started to intensify from mid-November as it spread to around six cities near Harbin. Protesters have been marching in front of government buildings resulting to classes being suspended in other places.

According to a Chinese expert and a historian, Zhang Li Fan, the education system of China has been harsh on teachers and the strikes are expected as it is a result of pent up emotions.

Also, the head of the communications at China Labor Bulletin in Hong Kong, Jeffrey Crothall, pointed out that there are at least 30 protests recorded in just the last three months. Teachers who are protesting are from the less developed areas in China.

The government announced that they are now reviewing the demands of the teachers. 

TagsChinese Teachers, Heilongjiang Province, protests, strikes, low pay, low wages, pension plans, contribution, northeastern part of China