Around 60-thousand out of 170-thousand non-regular school workers announced plans to stage a one-day strike this week, calling for a wage hike and improved working conditions.

At a press conference on Monday, the National School Irregular Workers' Union said it intends to stage the strike on Friday in a bid to resolve what it called a "discriminatory gap" in wages.

The union said negotiation with management comprising the education ministry and 17 regional education offices since June have failed to bring about an agreement.

The workers are demanding a wage hike, establishment of a body to handle consultation on wage system improvement, and better working environment.

A vote on the strike by union members in October found 93-point-two percent expressed support.

As most of the workers are those that provide school meals and childcare, if the union proceeds with the strike on Friday, school meals are expected to be replaced with bakery goods and milk, while substitute personnel will be brought in for childcare.