Teachers in Montenegro are pressing for a 10% salary increase as the government has yet to respond to their requests. Radomir Bozovic, the President of the Teachers’ Union, expressed frustration over the lack of concrete answers from Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and Finance Minister Novica Vukovic. Despite reaching out to the government, the union has not received a definitive response regarding their proposal.
The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro, which includes the Teachers’ Union, has formally requested salary increases for all public sector employees. Bozovic highlighted that employers also support the idea of raising wages in the private sector. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the union would not wait indefinitely for the government’s reaction.
Bozovic pointed out that there is an obligation for decision-makers to discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming year at the Social Council. The teachers seek clarity on whether the Finance Minister supports their initiative. So far, that discussion has yet to take place.
While discussions have been initiated, Bozovic refrained from disclosing specific details, indicating that further communication from the union is forthcoming. He urged the government to address the salary increase proposal rather than ignoring it. He affirmed, “The public will be informed about our next steps.”
Recently, the Union of Free Trade Unions indicated that they may resort to street protests should their demands remain unaddressed. Bozovic reminded the public that earlier communications from the Prime Minister’s office stated that the Ministry of Labour was responsible for this issue, while the Ministry of Finance and the government held the ultimate responsibility.
Strong support from various trade unions is backing this initiative. Bozovic noted that teachers currently receive low salaries, stating it is time for an increase. He pointed out that inflation has negated previous salary increases associated with the “Europe Now” initiative. This situation discourages young professionals from pursuing teaching positions, as evidenced by insufficient applications for available internship roles in some cities.
The proposed initiative aims to increase teachers’ salaries by adjusting the calculation coefficient under the General Collective Agreement, which is currently under revision. The existing coefficient value is 90 EUR, with a request to raise it to 100 EUR. The average salary in the education sector stands at 950 EUR, which is 6-7% lower than the national average. Despite requesting a salary increase, the union has not received a positive response.
Bozovic cautioned that certain sectors without a signed General Collective Agreement could face challenges if the General Collective Agreement is not finalized by December 31, 2023. He underscored concerns regarding how salaries and years of service will be calculated across various sectors, such as services, retail, and insurance.
With the end of the year approaching, Bozovic stressed the need for action. He stated the government has not formally rejected their proposal but is still awaiting a concrete response.
The President of the Teachers’ Union also recalled recent negotiations with relevant ministries concerning amendments to the Collective Agreement for Education. Adjustments were made to various allowances, as teachers experienced salary reductions between a few euros and 50 EUR starting from July due to a contentious centralized salary calculation. Through negotiations, salaries have been restored to previous levels, yet Bozovic remains hopeful that the government will consider their demand for a 10% salary increase.
While he appreciates the government’s provision of scholarships for certain high-demand roles, Bozovic noted that graduates may be disappointed with the salary levels in education upon completing their studies.
