Teacher Salary Raise Must Be ‘Sustainable And Responsible’, Robert Abela Says
Prime Minister Robert Abela said today that a raise in educators’ salaries must not only be “substantial” but also “sustainable and “responsible”.
“In our election manifesto, we said that we must substantially improve the work conditions of our educators,” Abela told a political activity this morning.
“I used that word back then and I will keep on using it. I will also add that whenever we negotiated on collective agreements with sections of society, we came to the table with proposals for a strong package of work conditions, including salaries.”
“However, they must is also responsible and sustainable. Ultimately we are administrating public funds so we must be responsible to the country. It is with this spirit of responsibility and sustainability that negotiations with the Malta Union of Teachers must continue.”
Just like Education Minister Clifton Grima, Abela refused to provide exact figures on what the government is proposing.
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The MUT recently announced a teachers’ strike following a breakdown in salary negotiations with the government, but Abela said he is optimistic that an agreement can be reached.
“We have closed several collective agreements and I believe we can also reach an agreement with the MUT, so long as discussions are inspired by what we want to give our educators.”
Do teachers deserve a significant pay raise?
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