News

Sudanese Teachers’ Committee Rejects “Shiekan Insurance” Deductions

Moatinoon
The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee has announced its categorical rejection of any deductions from teachers’ salaries under any pretext, warning against attempts to reproduce practices of the former regime. The statement comes amid what the committee described as efforts to impose new salary deductions under the banner of “Shiekan Insurance.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee said it is closely monitoring, with deep concern and anger, attempts to revive unjust deduction policies from teachers’ salaries—policies that were in place before the December Revolution and which, it noted, were among the practices rejected by the Sudanese people.

The committee explained that prior to the December Revolution, teachers’ salaries were subjected to 13 different deductions amounting to nearly 30 percent of total pay, imposed without legal basis or the consent of teachers. During the transitional period, the revolutionary government abolished all such deductions, retaining only health insurance and pension contributions as limited and clearly defined deductions.

According to the statement, current attempts are being made to reintroduce what the committee described as “rebranded plunder” through Shiekan Insurance, without transparency or clear disclosure of its terms and conditions.

The committee raised serious questions regarding the proposed insurance scheme, including whether it maintains the same unfair conditions as before, whether compensation remains limited to cases of death during service and at inadequate amounts, and whether cancer patients continue to be excluded from effective coverage—so much so that the insurance does not even cover a single dose of treatment.

The statement also questioned whether the body described as a “union” continues to unlawfully deduct a portion of insurance contributions, as was previously the case, and why any new contract has not been made public or discussed openly with teachers.

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee reaffirmed its firm position, stating that it rejects any salary deductions under any name and will pursue legal action against any party that infringes upon teachers’ financial rights. It stressed that the current situation imposed by coercion will not last, and that teachers’ collective will shall prevail.

The committee called for the immediate suspension of any deductions under Shiekan Insurance or otherwise until teachers are properly consulted, full terms are transparently disclosed, and fair coverage that respects the dignity of beneficiaries is guaranteed.

It also demanded preventing what it described as an illegitimate “preparatory committee” from signing agreements, speaking on behalf of teachers, or managing their funds, citing the lack of any legal or moral mandate to carry out union activities.

In a direct appeal to teachers nationwide, the committee urged them to reject any salary deductions—individually and collectively—warning that acquiescence could reopen the door to the return of the 13 deductions that burdened and humiliated teachers for years.

The statement concluded by stressing that teachers’ salaries are a red line, their dignity is not negotiable, and that what was overthrown by the revolution will not return through manipulation.