Serbia's teachers strike and take to streets to demand higher wages

Classes in many schools in Serbia were cancelled or cut short on Friday as teachers took to the streets to demand higher wages.

Serbia's teachers complain of being underpaid compared to other public sector workers and of worsening working conditions, including violence in schools. Scores of teachers rallied in front of the parliament in Belgrade in a union-led protest.

"The state which has such an attitude to the education is an unsuccessful state which ... cannot progress in any way," said Ana Dimitrijevic, a union activist.

In a statement, the education ministry said that around a half of schools were operating normally on Friday and the remainder have either shortened or cancelled classes.

The unions demand that starting wage across the entire education sector must match the national average monthly salary of around 97,000 dinars (about $900).

The Serbian government has offered an 11% wage increase for teachers, starting in January, and a one-time payment of 15,000 dinars, which the unions said was not enough and have rejected.

Education Minister Slavica Djukic Dejanovic said on Thursday unions should reconsider the government's offer and that talks over higher wages should continue in January.

"If teachers believe that taking to the streets... and stopping work are ways to resolve things, they are mistaken," she told reporters.

Teachers have warned they would continue the strike across the country by shortening classes until their demands are met.

In October, Serbia's parliament revised the 2024 budget, targeting a deficit of 2.9% of GDP, up from planned 2.2%. According to the IMF, Serbia's economy is expected to expand by 3.9% in 2024, up from the previously projected 3.5%.