Education staff in North Macedonia declared that if the government does not raise their salaries by 18%, they will enter a massive hunger strike.

The warning came from the Education Union, which claimed that current salaries are below the average state level.

Although they intend to go to classes, there will be no lectures if their demands are not met.

“In recent years, the minimum wage has increased steadily, meanwhile are salaries at a minimum. Today, primary or secondary school teachers have a close-to minimum wage, while in kindergartens that is even below the minimum,” says Zenafer Bajmak, a high school professor.

Bajmak has been teaching math for over 25 years and said that the mood among his colleagues is quite low as they need to feel valued and motivated.

“We’re waiting for a worthy solution so that we can go to work without feeling humiliated, and return home with dignity so that we can tell our children that our job can make us live a normal life”, he said.

The government said it is ready to dialogue but has not provided any concrete solution.