The amendment to the decree affecting teachers is based on the interests of children, stated the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior on Hír TV's Friday evening program. Bence Rétvári emphasized: we are facing the largest teacher salary increase in the last 30 years; and the government's goal is to raise teachers' wages as quickly as possible.

Bence Rétvári emphasized that there are legal forms of protest, such as demonstrations and strikes. He reminded: in the past, it was possible to go on strike after a long procedure after the announcement, but today it is enough to announce the strike five days earlier. However, there are those who do not choose this legal method, he added.

He put it this way: it is good for children if the educational conditions are secure, childcare is also provided and half the hours are kept if there is a work stoppage.

The government starts from the interests of the children, emphasized Rétvári, who, explaining the essence of the amendment to the decree, said: the employer does not have to make a decision within 15 days, but can consider longer whether to use the opportunities provided by the labor code.

The longer consideration period is primarily in the interest of children, since the school year can go on in its own way, and teachers can also work.

He pointed out: we are facing the largest teacher salary increase in the last 30 years; the goal of the government is to raise teachers' wages as quickly as possible.

Bence Rétvári expressed his hope that the first transfer from Brussels will arrive as soon as possible from the sources going to Hungary, which would have already arrived last year. Thus, this year's 10 percent wage increase will be 21 percent, followed by 25 percent and then 29 percent in the following years.

This means that the government will raise teachers' wages by 75 percent to HUF 777,000 in 25 months, the state secretary emphasized.

The government wants teachers to be valued financially and socially as much as possible, noting that all they ask is that everyone abide by the laws and choose legal forms of protest.

Bence Rétvári stated: it is irresponsible on the part of left-wing politicians and trade unions to encourage teachers to go on illegal work stoppages, since the Constitutional Court also ruled that the current strike regulation is proportionate and constitutional.

Source: MTI