Venezuelan professors call national university strike over salary crisis

The Venezuelan university sector is at a critical juncture, with professors and staff facing a dire salary crisis that has crippled their ability to live with dignity. The Federación de Asociaciones de Profesores Universitarios de Venezuela (FAPUV) has rightly called for a national 24-hour strike to demand immediate action on salaries and the reactivation of collective bargaining negotiations.

This strike, set for Wednesday, is not an isolated incident but the beginning of a new phase of protests against a government that has allowed the minimum wage to stagnate for four years, now equivalent to a mere $0.27 per month. This is an unacceptable situation that directly impacts the quality of education and the lives of those who dedicate themselves to it.

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The overcoming of the precarious situation of university staff in Venezuela and the education sector in general must be included as a priority on the political agenda to overcome the social emergency.

The solidarity shown by various university associations, such as the APUCV, and national labor unions like UNETE and the CUTV, demonstrates the widespread discontent and the urgent need for the government to prioritize the educational sector. The Venezuelan Teachers' Federation (FVM) also echoes these demands, calling for a national day of assemblies for a "just, sufficient, and dignified" salary.

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Education cannot wait, nor can teachers continue without dignified conditions.

While the government, through acting president Delcy Rodríguez, has vaguely announced a minimum wage adjustment for May 1, the lack of specifics and the history of meager increases offer little hope. The base salary has been fixed at 130 bolivars since 2022, a figure that has lost all purchasing power. This situation forces educators to seek alternative means of survival, often outside their profession, further depleting the university system.

From our perspective at El Nacional, this crisis is not merely an economic issue; it is a fundamental threat to the future of Venezuela. A nation cannot thrive without a strong, well-supported university system. We urge the authorities to heed these calls for action and provide the dignified salaries and working conditions that our educators deserve.

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