Romanian Liberals Discuss Teacher Salary Hike Law Countermeasures

Liberal sources told MEDIAFAX Monday that one option proposed by several liberal leaders to Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu was to prorogate the application of the law, through emergency ordinance, over an interval ranging between several months and half of year.

 

Another option discussed by the liberals was to take on responsibility in the Parliament for a new law that would set new salary hikes. The quoted sources said the increase is mentioned in the draft budget for 2009 and aims to increase teacher salaries by 10% starting with January 1, in addition to the 9% increase applied on October 1.

 

According to the same sources, Tariceanu told the liberal leaders to present to the population the “disastrous” effects of the 50% hike applied to teacher salaries. Thus, within the meeting, data was presented from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, according to which the salary increase would decrease investments in education by 80%.

 

"Premier Tariceanu said the people should be consulted regarding such consequences and asked if it no longer desires repairs in schools, kindergartens, upgraded toilets and if it wishes that all money be spent on salaries," the sources said.

 

Tariceanu also told the liberal leaders to inform the people that these investments in parallel with the salary increase cannot be maintained unless taxes are raised.