Administrative Experiment on the Backs of Teachers!
Is the salary of teachers in Montenegro just a number in an Excel sheet? Aleksandra Despotović from the Democratic Party of Socialists says YES! The government plans to centralize the payroll processing of education workers, but this is not just a technical issue. It’s a political decision sending a clear message: teachers are not a system, but a cost.
What’s Happening? The Ministry of Finance wants to introduce software centralization of payroll during the summer break, when collective response power is reduced. The teachers’ union demands respect for the collective agreement, but the government ignores their demands. Despotović warns this is manipulation and a threat to teachers’ rights.
Salaries That Don’t Match Reality The average teacher’s salary in March was about 700 euros, which is 50 euros less than the average salary in Montenegro. Compared to the region, Croatia pays teachers around 1,400 euros, and Serbia regularly increases salaries with union support. Inflation and rising living costs worsen the situation.
Why Is This a Problem? Education is not a luxury but a social priority. When the state treats teachers as a cost rather than an investment, everyone loses. This centralization could be just the start of austerity measures at the expense of those educating future generations.
What Do the Unions Say? The teachers’ union demands respect for the collective agreement and transparency in payroll processing. However, the government shows no willingness to dialogue and uses administrative measures to reduce workers’ rights.
Conclusion Montenegro aspires to European standards, but such measures show the opposite. Education workers do not seek privileges but dignity. If the system where teachers lose, everyone loses, the issue of teachers’ salaries must become a social priority, not an administrative experiment.
So, what do you think? Is this just another government trick to save money on education? Or is it time for teachers to raise their voice? Drop a comment and let’s hear your take!
