Several hundred employees of Serbia’s public education sector have rallied in the center of the capital, Belgrade, urging the government to withdraw proposed new legislation on public-service employees and calling for a 25 percent increase in their salaries.
The demonstrators gathered in front of the government headquarters in Belgrade on September 28, holding banners with slogans such as “Solidarity is our weapon” or, “You brought us to the bottom.”
The rally was organized by trade unions, which pledged to continue the protest until authorities agree to meet their demands.
According to a bill adopted by parliament on September 26, the Education Ministry is in charge of appointing school principals and can fire teachers without any independent control.
Critics say the proposed law would deprive public service employees of their rights.
The president still has to sign the bill for it to become law.
The average monthly income for teachers in Serbia is about 360 euros ($424).