Thousands of teachers protest new pay law outside Romanias Parliament and Government
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Thousands of teachers across Europe protest new wage laws amid continent-wide pay disputes
ContinuationThousands of teachers protest new pay law outside Romanias Parliament and Government
Thousands of teachers marched on Romania’s Government and Parliament buildings in Bucharest on Wednesday, protesting the new draft law on teacher pay that unions say will push educators into poverty. Organisers from the *Spiru Haret* and *Free Trade Unions in Education* federations said up to 20,000 teachers converged on Victory Square at 10:00, then marched to the Palace of the Parliament, where the demonstration ended at 14:30 .
The protest came as the draft law reached the final stages of parliamentary debate, with union leaders accusing the government of ignoring repeated warnings that the proposed salary scales would leave many teachers earning below the national minimum wage. “Enough! Education demands respect,” read banners carried through central Bucharest. Speakers at the rally said the law would force experienced teachers to take second jobs or leave the profession entirely, undermining a system already struggling with chronic shortages .
Traffic restrictions were reported across central Bucharest from early morning as police rerouted buses and limited access to key arteries around the Government and Parliament buildings. The Interior Ministry confirmed “controlled access” zones but said emergency services would operate normally. No incidents of disorder were reported by mid-afternoon .
The draft law, tabled in May, proposes a new salary grid that would raise starting salaries for teachers to €520 gross per month but cap increases for senior educators at €850, figures that unions say fall short of the €1,200 minimum required to retain staff. Education Minister Sorin Cîmpeanu has defended the draft as a “balanced compromise,” arguing that it aligns with public-sector austerity targets agreed with the European Commission. However, union negotiators say the minister has refused to reopen talks despite the mass turnout .
With national exams for primary and secondary students scheduled to begin next week, union leaders warned that the dispute could spill into classrooms if the law is enacted without amendment. “We are not asking for charity,” said Elena Păun, a spokeswoman for the *Spiru Haret* federation. “We are asking for a salary that allows us to teach without worrying about putting food on the table.” The Government has not announced any changes to the draft, and the law is expected to come to a final vote in the Chamber of Deputies next week .
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