The head of the Tripoli Teachers’ Union, Ashraf Al-Bourawi, confirmed that the union is preparing for an open strike to coincide with the start of the new academic year.
Speaking to the Libyan newspaper Abaad News, Al-Bourawi said the proposal for the strike originated from the Eastern Region Teachers’ Union. The initiative is aimed at pressuring authorities to release long-delayed financial entitlements for teachers, including salary adjustments and other administrative rights.
He explained that educators across Libya have grown increasingly frustrated with the government’s slow response to their demands. Teachers say their wages have been stagnant for years despite rising living costs, while other financial discrepancies remain unresolved. Calls for reform within the education sector have also gone unanswered, pushing unions to escalate their stance.
Al-Bourawi noted that the Tripoli union is now considering implementing the strike in the capital. However, he stressed that any decision would take into account the city’s fragile security, political tensions, and service challenges. Sub-unions in different municipalities will also be instructed to examine the feasibility of joining the strike.
The potential action could disrupt the start of the academic year, affecting thousands of students across Tripoli. Analysts warn that further instability in the education sector risks deepening social discontent, particularly as families struggle with economic pressures.
The teachers’ unions argue that their demands are not only financial but also tied to broader reforms aimed at improving the quality of education. With divisions between east and west already straining Libya’s institutions, coordinated labour action in both regions could intensify pressure on the authorities to respond.
For now, teachers await a final decision from the Tripoli union, which is expected to weigh the risks of a strike against the urgent need to secure long-promised rights.
