A statement from Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Mohamed Akeel said the minister was concerned that the strike has escalated from two days a week to "an indefinite period" despite efforts by the Labour Ministry to resolve the matter.

"It is the view of the minister that a prolongation of the strike can adversely affect student performance at examinations and he has therefore in the national interest taken this decision (to establish the committee)", Akeel said.

He said both parties have been advised of the setting up of the committee and the GTU, as a result, has been requested to discontinue its industrial action.

The advisory committee is headed by former University of Guyana Pro-Chancellor and consultant with the International Labour Organisation, Dr. Martin Boodhoo. Other members are UG Bursar, Mr. John Seeram and Industrial Relations Officer with the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Mr. Francis Carryl.

Akeel said establishment of the committee is provided for by the Labour Act.

The team is to enquire into the dispute between the parties and "make such report and recommendation as (it) deems expedient", he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is exploring the possibility of implementing initiatives to ensure that classes for children due to take examinations shortly do not suffer because the GTU has intensified its strike at schools.

Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hydar Ally said the ministry is working assiduously to make sure adequate tuition is provided for candidates, including hiring part-time tutors if there is no early resolution of the impasse over, among other things, the 2002 pay increase demand.

Ally said the various Education Departments in the Administrative Regions and Georgetown have been instructed to prepare contingency plans for alleviating the problems anticipated as a result of the continuing work stoppage.

He said because of the establishment of the advisory committee by the Labour Ministry yesterday, the Education Ministry has not replied to a GTU letter which had indicated a willingness to negotiate terms of resumption for ending the strike.

He said his ministry is awaiting the outcome of the Labour Ministry intervention before responding to the GTU correspondence.

Ally said the Education Ministry is also taking steps to guarantee that schools are accessible to those teachers who are going to work and, in this regard, striking headteachers have been requested to lodge the keys at their respective Education Departments.

He was not in a position to pronounce on the effectiveness of the latest GTU call but the ministry continues to monitor the situation.

Immediate Past President of GTU, Mr. Lance Baptiste told the Chronicle one of the reasons for intensifying the work cessation is the non-response by the Education Ministry to its offer in relation to terms of resumption.

He said the move, from two days to five days per week, continues until there is some amicable settlement.

Baptiste said a countrywide survey has shown that the call has been very successful, adding that a hinterland Village Captain also expressed support, saying it would result in his community attracting better qualified teachers through improved salaries and better working conditions.

Baptiste said GTU is looking forward to a resolution of "the unfinished business of salaries for last year" and other conditions usually associated with strike action, including no loss of pay for the days teachers stay away.