Croatia’s ruling coalition under pressure as over 80% of teachers go on strike

By bne IntelliNews October 10, 2019

More than 80% of Croatia’s primary and secondary school teachers went on strike on October 10 after talks on pay with government officials broke down. 

Union leaders said 85% of secondary and 89% of primary school teachers went on strike on Thursday, state news agency Hina reported. 

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic slammed the strike as “absurd and unnecessary” and appealed to teachers’ unions to return to negotiations. 

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Zdravko Maric stressed the need to adhere to the government “responsible fiscal policy” and pointed out that substantial wage increases have already been made. 

However, the strike has put pressure on the ruling coalition. The Croatian People's Party (HNS), the junior partner of Plenkovic’s Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has called on the government to increase teachers' job complexity index to be increased. The party has threatened to quit the government if this does not happen. 

The opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) also support the striking teachers. 

 

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