Education and Science, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Strike, Wages

The trade union told LETA that this is necessary, as the EUR 3 million that the government has decided to allot for teachers' salaries is not sufficient, taking into account that Education and Science Ministry originally requested EUR 36 million.

"Unfortunately, the social dialogue is currently at a deadlock, and it looks like going on strike will be our last option, as other methods are not working anymore. Furthermore, the government should plan ahead, taking into account that in 2015, Latvia will be the presiding country of the Council of the European Union, and that a teachers' strike will leave a significant impact on Latvia's image," the trade union's representative Edgars Grigorjevs told LETA.

Already before the 12th Saeima elections, eight largest parties in Latvia – Unity, Greens/Farmers, All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, Harmony, the Alliance of Regions of Latvia, For Latvia From the Heart – made an agreement to plan an adequate annual funding for education, including for teachers' salaries.

As reported, the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees held its largest protest on May 12, when more than 7,000 education and science workers from all over Latvia took part in a rally demanding higher state funding for education.