The Secretary of the United Education Union, Ymer Ymeri, has said that if an agreement is not reached between the Government of Kosovo and the SBASHK even today (August 17), then the teachers will go on strike indefinitely.

In a statement to the Telegraph, Ymeri said that the strike is expected to start on August 24 or 25, if the government does not take steps to negotiate and meet the demands of the SBASHK.

"Based on the meeting of the executive chairmanship of the BSPK that was held on August 10, in which we gave a deadline and a week to the negotiations to realize the demands, giving competence to the president of the BSPK Atdhe Hykoll , to reach an agreement with the government on the demands by August 17, and if no such agreement is reached today, we will call a press conference to announce the strike starting on August 24 or 25, and at the same time we will form the strike council and they will prepare for the start of the strike", said Ymeri.

According to him, this situation is worrisome, since, as he said, the lesson risks not starting on September 1 due to the strike.

He also stated that there is a risk that the re-testing of the matura, which is planned to be held on August 27, will not be held.

"The strike will be announced indefinitely for the realization of our demands.

The purpose is August 24 or 25, to give space to talks even during the strike.

If an agreement is reached by September 1, I hope that it is reached, otherwise the strike will continue until the demands are met.

For me, this situation is worrying, since we have had warnings for a year.

And of course, the Matura Test is on August 27 and there is a risk of holding it because of the strike, and I don't know how the ministry will find the way to hold it.

The minister is thinking that the form she chose through meetings with teachers in the municipalities, which is not the right way", said Ymeri, among other things.

Otherwise, the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Information (MAShTI), Arbërie Nagavci, said a few days ago that the threat of a strike in education by SBASHK is unacceptable.

"The strike threat for September 1, the first day of school for the 2022-2023 year, is unacceptable.

What any strike will achieve is only damage to the learning process for our children.

The results in education are not what we want", said Nagavci.

Below you can read the demands of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo:

100 euros from the state budget for all employees in the public sector, including employees of Public Enterprises - until the following requirements are met

Determination of the Minimum Wage

Adoption of the Law on Wages

Starting the implementation of the Law on Health Insurance

Signing the comprehensive collective agreement

The amendment-change of the Law on State-Funded Pension Schemes, the acceptance of work experience for all those dismissed during the 90s, and to eliminate the criterion of 15 years of work experience before 1999.

/Telegrafi/