Education unions accuse government of 'betrayal' over draft salary law

Romanian education unions have fiercely condemned the government's draft salary law, labeling it a "betrayal of education." The Federation of Free Unions in Education (FSLI) and the Spiru Haret Education Union Federation accuse the government of reneging on previous agreements, including those made with the World Bank and the Ministry of Labor in 2024.

The controversial draft law, released by the Ministry of Labor on July 17, outlines new salary grids for pre-university education staff. Under the proposed system, salaries are calculated by multiplying a specific coefficient for each category by a reference value of 4,100 lei, which is slated to take effect in 2027. This delayed implementation and the proposed figures have sparked outrage among educators.

According to the draft, teachers with long-term higher education and the highest teaching degree (grad I) would earn between 8,077 lei and 9,758 lei. Salaries for those with a lower degree (grad II) would range from 7,954 lei to 8,979 lei, while those with a definitive degree would earn between 7,831 lei and 8,446 lei. Beginner teachers with long-term higher education would receive 7,790 lei. The draft also details salaries for teachers with shorter higher education, kindergarten teachers, and sports coaches, with figures varying based on qualifications and experience.

In a joint press release, the unions stated that the project represents "a new offense against education staff." They argue that the government is ignoring its commitments and proposing a salary scale that does not reflect the professional development of teachers. The unions emphasize that the draft violates Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2023, which resulted from the 2023 general strike in education and stipulated that the salary of a beginner teacher should be benchmarked against the average gross national salary.

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A new offense against education staff