- Title: Croatian teachers begin nationwide strike to win 6% wage hike
- Date: 10th October 2019
- Summary: ZAGREB, CROATIA (OCTOBER 10, 2019) (REUTERS) NOTICE FROM TEACHER'S UNION IN WINDOW, READING (Croatian) 'STRIKE' EMPTY CLASSROOM AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EMPTY HALLWAY WITH CLASSROOM DOORS LEFT OPEN NOTICE INSIDE CLASSROOM, READING (Croatian): "DEAR STUDENTS, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE PHONES" COMPUTER CLASSROOM WITH ONE PERSON SEATED IN FRONT OF DESKTOP COMPUTER TEACHERS IN HALLWAY EMPTY CLOTHING HOOKS ON WALL VARIOUS OF TEACHERS SEATED AROUND TABLE IN MEETING ROOM, TEACHERS TALKING SCHOOL TROPHIES ON DISPLAY TEACHERS SITTING AND TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Croatian) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER, SASA MLINAR, SAYING: "The state of the schooling system is usually 'happy and cheerful,' but there's also some discontent. People are unhappy with their salaries." GEOMETRY TRIANGLE AND BLACKBOARD (SOUNDBITE) (Croatian) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER, SASA MLINAR, SAYING: "I am very sad after seeing yesterday that our government does not understand what we want, nor does it want to hear any of it. They claim they have already invested enough in the school system this year, they say that the education ministry has already received more funding this year, on account of the new 'School for Life' reform. However, I think he (Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic) has no clue what we are demanding really. Even if there was enough funding to invest in the new programme, new textbooks, everything else that was necessary for the reform, I think (what teachers are paid) is still not enough for them to live a normal life in Croatia." SCHOOL ENTRANCE PERSON STANDING IN SCHOOL DOORWAY NOTICE ON WINDOW READING (Croatian): 'STRIKE UNTIL DEMANDS ARE MET'
- Embargoed: 24th October 2019 16:43
- Keywords: Croatian People's Party Croatia teachers strike protest of teachers schooling in Croatia
- Location: ZAGREB, CROATIA
- City: ZAGREB, CROATIA
- Country: Croatia
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001B0IKXFD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Teachers and other employees in Croatia's schools began a strike on Thursday (October 10), protesting against the government's refusal to increase their wages by 6%, a demand which is straining the governing coalition.
Teachers say they are underpaid in comparison to other public sector employees for the tasks they now have to perform. The new school year in September saw the start of a major education reform which the government says will bring it more in line with labour market needs.
Earlier this week the top two teacher's unions rejected the government's offer of a 2% hike beginning this month and then an additional 2% hike from June, 2020.
Organisers say that the strike, starting across the country on Thursday, is planned to continue each day in several Croatian counties in a circular manner.
The liberal Croatian People's Party (HNS), a junior partner in the ruling conservative-led coalition, said on Wednesday (October 9) it would leave the government if the budget for 2020 did not set aside funds for raising teachers' salaries by 6%.
The party's potential exit is not likely to topple the government, but it would make its parliamentary majority very thin.
Last month the government agreed to raise salaries for doctors and nurses by an average of 7% after a threat by the major healthcare unions to strike at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Approximately 70,000 people are employed in Croatia's primary and secondary schools.
(Production: Suzana Sabljic, Dominik Starosz) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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