Union: New law fails to end discrimination for some university teachers

The Science Union has warned that proposed amendments to Croatia's Law on Higher Education and Scientific Activity fail to eliminate "long-standing discrimination" against a segment of university teachers. These educators continue to face unequal opportunities for career advancement compared to their peers.

Matija Kroflin, Secretary-General of the Science Union, stated at a press conference that the law's amendments were an opportunity to rectify this injustice, but the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth missed it. Kroflin noted that only the union advocated for equal career perspectives for lecturers within the working group, facing opposition from universities, rectors, deans, and the ministry, despite a lack of rational justification for the disparity.

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The current law allows me only to be re-elected to the same position until the end of my working life.

Marko Gregurić, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, explained that the current law permits him only to be re-elected to his current position until retirement. He desires the opportunity to advance to the title of Senior Lecturer Advisor, a possibility available to other faculty members. Gregurić highlighted his extensive teaching across multiple locations and the scientific basis of his work, questioning why the ministry would deny him this additional career step.

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We are not seeking privileges, but the correction of unequal status.

Tanja Šestanj-Perić, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb, clarified that universities have both scientific-teaching and teaching positions. Those in teaching roles focus more on instruction than research. She explained that while lecturers can progress from lecturer to senior lecturer, the third tier, the advisor title, is exclusively available to foreign language teachers, lectors, and those in artistic fields. Šestanj-Perić believes this was an oversight in the 2022 law and the current amendments are the opportune moment to correct it, emphasizing that teachers seek fairness, not privileges.

Mario Keškić, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek, shared that he has been re-elected to the same position six times with no salary increase, despite needing to meet new re-election requirements. The initiative has garnered support from approximately 160 lecturers so far.

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The ministry has turned its back on these teachers, despite there being no rational reason for such a difference in advancement opportunities.