JORDANIAN teachers walked out on indefinite strike yesterday in a long-standing dispute over pay and conditions.

Jordanian Teachers’ Syndicate spokesman Nouriddin al-Nadim said: “All the teachers in all the schools around the kingdom are taking part in the strike.”

He said they would maintain the action “until their salaries are increased and their dignity is maintained.”

The strike follows a huge demonstration last week with teachers angry over a failure by the government to honour a pay rise agreed in a 2014 deal struck with the union. They are demanding a 50 per cent pay rise.

Security services moved against those marching in the capital Amman, violently dispersing the crowds using tear gas.

Teachers voted for action following the attack and the union pledged that “work will not resume until the achievement of the salary increase and those who attacked the teachers during Thursday’s protests are held accountable.”

The government said in a statement that it was committed to dialogue but warned that the increase would cost $160 million (£129m) per year.

Jordan has seen major unrest over the past few years with huge demonstrations over planned IMF-driven austerity measures in return for a bailout of the country’s struggling economy.