Teacher Salary Hikes Are Unacceptable – Romanian PM

Tariceanu again said he will not allow such a salary hike to be applied.

 

He added Romania is faced with a decisive choice for the future, namely the road to economic growth and prosperity, or an irresponsible salary hike and irresponsible leftists policies "that will kneel Romania."

 

"I regretfully notice that some of the politicians decided Romania should follow a path of political instability and crisis. We need to show responsibility regarding the increases in pay, not only for teachers, but for everybody. Everyone, from politicians to union leaders, needs to understand that such a measure is catastrophic for Romanian economy, a matter made worse by the huge world economic and financial crisis that might strike at Romania’s economy," Tariceanu said.

 

He cited several previous statements issued by president Traian Basescu, who criticized the Government for having used much of the Ministry of Education’s budget on salary hikes and not on school upgrades, adding the current global financial crisis will have serious effects if the economic policy is not a prudent one.

 

"When the weather forecast is bad, when winter comes, when the blizzard comes, it’s normal to put on a coat, maybe some pants and a hat, not take off your coat and go out in the storm with your bare chest. This sums up what we would be doing should this salary hike law be applied, in this extremely difficult economic context," Tariceanu said.

 

Romanian president Traian Basescu announced Friday that he promulgated the law increasing teacher salaries by 50% starting October 1.

 

The head of state said the law observes constitutional criteria and he finds it adequate.