Niš Faculty of Philosophy salary and insurance dispute

Employees at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš have gone nearly a month without receiving their salaries. Dean Vladimir Jovanović confirmed that funds from the republic budget have not been transferred to the faculty, even though other faculties within the University of Niš received approved funds in late June.

Staff reported that their last partial payment was received on July 20, and they did not receive the scheduled first installment of their August wages. While the legal deadline for salary payments is August 31, the faculty has received no response to requests for clarification from authorities.

Researcher-associate Milan Videnović suggested the withholding of funds may be a reaction by the Ministry of Education to an Administrative Court ruling regarding the accreditation of certain study programs and the formation of the Faculty of Serbian Studies.

By September, the situation escalated as Videnović reported that the Ministry of Education has also ceased paying health insurance for employees. He warned this could lead to a “humanitarian crisis,” potentially leaving staff and dependents without healthcare. Additionally, faculty members report institutional pressure from the Ministry of Science regarding the reaccreditation of scientific research activities. Staff claim the Ministry is demanding a completely new application despite a pending process that has lasted nearly two years, an action they view as a continuation of pressure that ignores recent court rulings.