text: Mr. Pavel Filip
  Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova
  Piata Marii Adunari Nationale, 1
  Republic of Moldova
  Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
  Stefan cel Mare str.162
  Republic of Moldova
  Subject: Solidarity with the Education and Science Trade Union Federation of Moldova (ESTUFM)
  Dear Prime Minister,
  Dear Speaker of the Parliament,
  With this letter, Greek Primary Teachers’ Federationexpresses its strong solidarity and support with its Moldovan sister organisation,The Education and Science Trade Union Federation of Moldova (ESTUFM).
  According to ESTUFM, the minimum wage in the country is currently 1863 Lei (MDL) (86,50 EUR). Moldovan auxiliary teaching and non-teaching staff’s salary is 1000 Lei (MDL) (46,50 EUR).The ratio of average salary in the education sector to average salary in the national economy is of 79.6%, while the official teacher’s salary constitutes only 57% of the average wage in the national economy.
  ESTUFM informed with great resentment that during the March negotiation round you offered to increase the salaries of education personnel by only 100 Lei (MDL) (4,8 EUR). This offer does not demonstrate a clear commitment from the Moldovan government to improve the present situation in education and what is worse; it can be considered as a lack of respect for those who play a crucial role in developing student’s personality, self-confidence and critical thinking. Whereas the importance of quality education has been emphasised by many governments and other European and international actors, the Moldovan government does not seem committed to this goal.
  Furthermore, your proposal does not seem to seek for a solution to the critical challenge – the brain drain of young and qualified education personnel and as a consequence the ageing of the teaching profession – your country is confronted with.
  On numerous occasions, we reconfirm that decent working conditions including decent salaries are a prerequisite for quality education which in turn is a responsibility of each Government. To this end we urge you to follow and reply to ESTUFM’s demands expressed repeatedly by the union.
  Greek Primary Teachers’ Federation stands firmly with its Moldovan sister organisation, teachers, scientific researchers and other non-teaching education staff in the Republic of Moldova and hopes that you will return to the negotiation table with comprehensive and beneficial suggestions to promote and preserve quality education for the prosperity of the country.