Hota-Muminović: Conditions met for increasing salaries for education workers

(Patria) - Within the negotiation process regarding the Collective Agreement for preschool and primary education in Sarajevo Canton (KS), the Ministry of Education and Science wishes to clearly emphasize its commitment, as well as the Government's commitment, to raising the standards of education workers at all levels, which has been clearly demonstrated in the past three years.

- All conditions have been met for increasing the salaries of workers in preschool and primary education in KS, as well as the directors of these institutions. The proposed increase of 5% for workers is acceptable and we consider it entirely necessary and justified, along with the already agreed increase in the base salary calculation from 330 KM to 385 KM, which represents a 16.67% increase in the base salary calculation.

We also consider a larger increase justified for individuals who lead these institutions and bear responsibility for their work and functioning. It is important to note that most workers, according to the Collective Agreement, are entitled to salary supplements for difficult working conditions, whose final coefficient often exceeds the salary coefficient for directors.

I believe that by increasing the coefficient for directors of educational institutions, the responsibility and competencies associated with the leadership position of an educational institution would be more adequately recognized, especially in light of the curricular reform we are undergoing, intensified programs and director responsibilities in matters of child and student welfare protection, as well as increased reconstruction and investment maintenance work on the facilities.

I want to point out that directors of educational institutions, along with directors from the social protection sector, have the lowest salaries of all directors in the public sector in Sarajevo Canton - explained the Minister of Education and Science of Sarajevo Canton, Naida Hota-Muminović.

The Ministry explains why the Government of Sarajevo Canton, at its session held on December 7, 2023, refused to give consent to the Protocol proposal, which incorporated the Union's request for salary grades, about which various interpretations are being presented to the public.

- The Protocol on conducting negotiations is a procedural act and as such cannot regulate the provisions of the Collective Agreement. We appreciate that the Union representatives are aware that the proposal for the Collective Agreement is determined institutionally through negotiations conducted by negotiation teams.

Negotiation teams should continue their work, and we have already agreed, at the Union's proposal, to change the dynamics of negotiation team meetings and to hold meetings every other working day instead of once a week - added Hota-Muminović.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Sarajevo Canton emphasizes its commitment to dialogue and taking all necessary steps to ensure a fair and sustainable working environment for all involved parties, and will initiate the continuation of negotiations with the Union to ensure better financial conditions for the workers.