Kosovo: SBASHK organises series of strikes
Published:
Today, is the beginning of a series of strikes in Kosovo organised by ETUCE member organisation in Kosovo, SBASHK.
In September 2018, the Government of Kosovo approved a Law on Salaries which foresees new coefficients for the calculation of salaries. According to SBASHK, the adopted Law, which the union strongly criticises, not only places public employees in education in an unequal position in comparison with other employees in the public sector, it also explicitly places them below other professions.
On Friday 11 January 2019, SBASHK reported that the Government of Kosovo continues to promise the rise of education employees’ coefficient in the salary grid that should guarantee an increase in teachers’ salaries by at least 30%.
Following a number of talks between the SBASHK leadership with government officials, the Government continues making promises without taking concrete steps. Having little trust in the Government’s willingness to fulfil its promises, the union organises a series of strikes starting from today, 14 January 2019.
“As this decision is unanimously supported by 100% of the membership starting from early childhood education and up to higher education, we are concerned about disruptions in the education system that the series of strike might cause. Thus, the Government of Kosovo should act quickly and fairly in meeting our demands”, stated SBASHK.
Susan Flocken, ETUCE European Director said, “ETUCE strongly advocates for democratic governance practices and sustainable mechanisms of constructive social dialogue. To this end, ETUCE together with SBASHK call on the Government of Kosovo to take on its responsibility and translate its promises into concrete measures”.
ETUCE continues monitoring this situation.