Hungarian educators face wage disputes and strike threats

Tensions are rising in the Hungarian education sector over wage disputes and labor rights. Bence Rétvári, the KDNP faction leader, criticized Education Minister Judit Lannert, accusing her of being cynical for suggesting that teachers should be satisfied simply with maintaining their current salaries. Rétvári noted that while the previous government implemented performance-based pay increases last September, the current administration has effectively canceled further quality-based pay supplements through legislative changes.

Simultaneously, Tamás Totyik, president of the Teachers' Union (PSZ), warned of potential strikes if the government does not address the compensation of staff directly supporting education. Totyik highlighted concerns regarding the right to strike, noting that current regulations require a 50 percent service level for all children and 100 percent for graduating classes, which he argues limits the effectiveness of industrial action. He specifically pointed to the low wages of non-teaching staff, whose pay often sits only 7 percent above the minimum wage, despite high workloads.