Teachers and other education and science employees protested in front of the Government on Wednesday, demanding a raise in salaries and the respect of commitments previously made by the authorities. “We don’t want poverty”, “We want a decent salary” and “We’re not asking for explanations, we’re asking for raises” were the messages chanted by the demonstrators, reports IPN.
The Trade Union Federation of Education and Science urges the Government to honor its commitment to increase the salaries of teaching staff and auxiliary personnel from September 1st. The unionists also demand solutions for increasing the employees’ income and a wage policy that attracts and retains specialists in the system.
At the beginning of the Government meeting, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan stated that the executive must meet people’s expectations and identify solutions for the demands of education employees. According to the Prime Minister, people have every right to put forward these requests.
In turn, the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, acknowledged that the authorities had previously made certain commitments to teachers and that solutions need to be identified to honor them. The Minister also stated that there will be discussions with teachers and union representatives to identify feasible solutions. According to him, before the budget law is approved, additional measures that could be applied to meet the demands of system employees need to be analyzed.
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan stepped in front of the protesters and defended the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, who was booed by some of the demonstrators – “I do not know a Minister of Education in the history of Moldova who has fought more for the rights and salaries of teachers. As Prime Minister, I find it very difficult with Mr. Perciun because when we have internal meetings and everyone is fighting for the budget, he shouts the loudest. He is fighting for you”.
The President of the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science, Ghenadie Donos, stated that the issue is not just financial, but also relates to the dignity of employees and the place given to education in the priorities of the authorities. “We protest because we love what we do, and this love is paid too little”, declared the union leader.
At the same time, the president of the National Confederation of Unions of Moldova, Igor Zubcu, stated that the status of education as a priority should also be reflected in the remuneration and respect given to employees. According to him, the protest represents the voice of the people when dialogue does not produce results, and solutions for education salaries must be identified without delay.
FSES argues that higher salaries are necessary to retain specialists in the system, reduce staff shortages, and increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession. The protest ended with the adoption of a resolution containing all the claims of the education and science employees, which was transmitted to the authorities.
