Teachers Threaten Protests, Conflict Could Spill Over to Paraguay's Rally Mundial

Paraguayan teachers are threatening national protests and a potential conflict that could impact the upcoming World Rally Championship event in the country.

Educator unions are currently negotiating a salary adjustment of 8% for the upcoming year. They have warned that if no agreement is reached with the Ministry of Economy and Finance by Monday, they will mobilize at the end of August. This planned action could significantly complicate the logistics of the World Rally Championship, scheduled to take place in the department of Itapúa from August 27 to 30.

Representatives from teacher unions met with officials from the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to discuss their demands. The unions proposed that the salary increase be implemented in two phases: an initial 5% to offset the government's minimum wage hike, followed by an additional 3% to adjust for their increased contribution to the fiscal fund. This would aim to bring the salary per shift for primary teachers to G. 5 million, up from the current G. 4.22 million.

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We propose that this adjustment be made in two parts, first 5% to compensate for the increase that the Government granted to the minimum wage and another 3% to level the increase in our contribution to the fiscal fund.

Silvio Piris, president of the Federation of Educators of Paraguay (FEP), stated that the remaining percentage needed to reach G. 5 million would be addressed in 2028. While the Ministry of Economy indicated that the adjustment might not be included in the initial budget proposal due to fiscal responsibility laws, it could be part of an addendum submitted to Congress. The discussions are ongoing, with another meeting scheduled for August 24.

Piris acknowledged that the teachers' mobilization could coincide with the Rally Mundial organization, potentially causing chaos. However, he expressed hope that an agreement would be reached to avoid such a scenario, emphasizing that the primary goal is to resolve the salary dispute. The rally itself is expected to cause disruptions in the education sector, with classes suspended in some schools in the affected region.

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Indeed, it will coincide with the World Rally issue, it will be a disaster for the organization, but we hope not to reach that point, the idea is to avoid it. It depends on whether we have any response.