Romanian Teachers Resume Protests Outside Education Ministry

Teachers initially went on a wildcat protest Thursday evening after a meeting of major unions representing the education system. Dozens of teachers and students picketed the Education Ministry Thursday evening and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Daniel Funeriu. They blocked entrances to the institution displeased that the minister refused to talk to them.

Protests were resumed Friday and union leaders asked for permission to protest throughout the entire following week, but were only authorized until Wednesday.

Teachers are displeased with a 25% pay cut imposed this summer across the public sector and the fact that the Government plans to seek a confidence vote in Parliament to pass the education bill instead of letting the bill go through the regular, albeit lengthy, parliamentary procedure.

Labor Minister Ioan Botis said Monday he has invited education union leaders over at the ministry this afternoon to discuss wages under the unitary wage law for the public sector, another bill for which the Government is set to seek a confidence vote.