Teachers in Botoşani and Suceava continue protests

According to România Actualităţi correspondent Gina Poenaru, a few hundred teachers in
Botoşani have entered the second week of protests.

There are about 40 schools in Suceava and Botoşani where lessons were cancelled and
children told to stay at home. Teachers complain over low salaries and late payments of
salaries, România Actualităţi correspondent in Suceava Mihael Buculei reported.

About 900 teachers from 27 schools have entered their second week of protests, as per
the information provided by the Country School Inspectorate.

The number of teachers who joined the strike varies from one day to another, according
to each school disposals.

Only three schools in Dorohoi gave up protests, as the city mayor engaged himself to
partially pay teacher salaries with money intended for other expenses, which will be
postponed.

Teachers in Botoşani refuse to receive their salaries in monthly installments, as proposed
by authorities and decided to continue with the strikes.

Over 600 teachers have gathered again in front of the Administrative Palace, where they
attend the second authorized meeting, but not the last one, they confess.

Chanting anti-governmental slogans while provided with whistles and megaphones,
teachers strike for their salary rights, demand the resignation of both Inspector General
Ada Macovei and Minister of Education and complain about the lack of interest of the
Ministry of Education on this issue.

The Monday meeting was attended by General Secretary of the Federation of Trade
Unions of Education Liviu Marian Pop, just arrived from Bucharest.

Trade unions have decided to proclaim general strike in schools, where collective
agreements must be renegotiated in every school.

Teachers have decided to continue with the protests till they receive their full salaries,

although they are aware of the fact that they will not be paid for the days they were on
strike.

Authorities in Botoşani and several surrounding villages have no money left after they
were forced to pay teachers salary raises awarder by court decision.

A possible solution is to supplement the local budget, with a total amount needed of 10
million lei.

Municipalities and local councils cannot deal with situations where court decisions award
some of the teachers salary raises.

Ministry of Education must take action

The Ministry of Finance draws attention that teachers will receive the sums allocated for
their salaries according to the standards applied by the Ministry of Education and bonuses
awarded by court decision will be paid in monthly installments, as stipulated by the law.

If schools and local authorities do not possess the necessary funds in order to cover
the expenses for each pupil, measures will be taken after confronting the issue with the
Ministry of Education.

The press office of the Ministry of Public Finances also says that the Ministry of
Education must also deal with wage demands pressed by protesters.

The personal advisor of the Minister of Education, Tudorel Urianu, also confirmed
that the sums allocated for salary payment are calculated quarterly on a regular basis,
according to the number of pupils and the standard expenses for each of them.

Tudorel Urianu claims that the Mnistry of Education has not yet adopted a position,
as the results of the appeal on this matter is still awaited, where the levelling of court
decisions for all teachers salaries is expected.

Once the trial is completed, the Ministry of Education should be able to take action in
order to solve the situation.

Translated by: Mihaela Grigoraş
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University