Teaching staff in Chisinau is indignant for having not benefited so far from a salary increase

Teaching staff in Chisinau is unhappy with having not benefited from the governmental promise of a 20% salary increase. This problem was on top of agenda during a conference of teaching staff in Chisinau, which took place on Wednesday, August 22. During conference talks, they expressed their indignation towards the fact that such an increase did not take place, in spite of governmental promises to introduce a salary increase by the end of the year, measure that has already taken place in republican districts. The President of the Municipal Council of the Teaching Union, Galina Talai stated that the salary increase for teachers is more than needed, as “this sum would allow teachers to pay for the electricity which they use at home, when they mark student papers and tests”. Moreover, Galina Talai underlined that “with the salary increase for teaching staff, the corruption phenomenon will disappear in educational institutions.” Another reason for which educational staff considers itself discriminated against compared to those in republican districts, is related to the support given to young specialists in rural areas and not to those inhabiting the capital. A one-time support of 30 thousand lei is given as well as the release from bill payment and rent, according to the Rules of the Fund for support of teaching staff, adopted by the Government in 2005. Professors who participated at the conference underlined the fact that the rent for a flat in the capital is much more costly than in the province. The problem of living spaces was also underlined as one of the most severe issues didactic staff needs to deal with. The mayor of the capital, Dorin Chirtoaca, present at the conference stated that although the salaries of the didactic staff are not the competency of the municipality, “while creating conditions for economic development, we will reach the stage where all those who offer services, who are earning, will have the minimal amount needed for living”. “Currently we have completely disproportional situations in which salaries of some official rise to thousands of euros, while those preparing us for tomorrow do not even have a minimal amount for survival” added the mayor. The government promised an increase by the end of 2007 of salaries of university professors – with more than 50%, for teaching staff activating in school and extra-school institutions - with 32%, for teaching staff in secondary institutions – with 17% and of the maintenance personnel with 25%.