Native English-speaking teachers are calling for a 39 per cent increase in their special allowance to offset spiralling living costs and keep experienced staff in Hong Kong.
Sharp rises in rents and worsening exchange rates have eroded NETs' purchasing power and wiped out the gains from a raise in benefits in 2005, according to the Native English-speaking Teachers' Association.
It has drawn up a dossier of evidence of rising living costs and a shopping list of new demands, including raising the monthly special allowance from HK$12,950 to HK$18,000.
The association also wants a new education allowance for NETs with families, and the retention bonus - 10 per cent of annual salary for teachers on second or subsequent contracts - increased to 15 per cent after the third contract and 20 per cent after the fourth.
Its leaders are due to meet Education Secretary Michael Suen Ming-yeung on Thursday to discuss English-language teaching in government and aided schools.
Perry Bayer, of the association's benefits and welfare committee, said the delegation would ask Mr Suen for an early meeting with the scheme's managers to present their case, but he could not disclose the contents of the dossier beforehand.
They would also raise concerns among NETs about an 'erosion of quality' in new teachers being admitted into the scheme, with some 'less-well-qualified people' being employed, especially in primary schools. 'What we have really got to do now is to look at a big increase in the special allowance,' he said.