Trade unionists in education request removal of salary discrimination and amendment of current payroll framework-law

The Federation of Free Education Unions (FSLI) requests that by 1 December, 2017, the salary discriminations created by the incorrect interpretation of Law no. 153/2017 provisions regarding the payroll of employees remunerated from public funds be removed , reads a FSLI press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday. 

"FSLI requests that by 1 December, 2017, the salary discriminations created by the incorrect interpretation of Law no. 153/2017 provisions as well as the amendment of the current payroll framework-law, that is increasing the ranking quotient for the teaching staff be eliminated. Only thus will we halt the massive migration of the teaching staff to other countries where they are better paid for their work. Because of the qualified staff departure, the education system has become the only one in Europe where under-qualified staff is accepted," informs the FSLI release. 

FSLI demands the allocation of at least 6 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Education, a sine qua non condition for the development of the education system and the evolution of the entire Romanian society. "Romania's governments have constantly practiced a chronic under-financing policy of the education system and have allocated a mere 3 pct of the GDP, while the European Union average stands at 5.3 pct," the FSLI representatives maintain. 

FSLI points out the need for Parliament to draft a new national education law that is not going to be amended for at least one complete education cycle. At the same time, negotiations for a separate law regarding the teaching staff Charter must be initiated. 

At the National Conference, FSLI adopted the "Investing in Education, Result Guaranteed!" Resolution, requesting herewith, that several issues Romania's education system is confronted with be solved. 

FSLI also requests through this Resolution that the current school curricula be analysed objectively in order to carry out the changes that are necessary. The FSLI representatives appreciate that this is the only way graduates will be able to integrate on the labour market. Moreover, local communities who lack resources urgently need funds to be granted in order to improve the students' learning conditions. 

FSLI lodged the Resolution "Investing in Education, Result Guaranteed!" with the National Education Ministry, Romania's Government, Romania's Parliament and with all the parliamentary political parties.