Education and science employees from across the country gathered today in Chișinău’s Great National Assembly Square for a trade union protest organized by the Federation of Education and Science Trade Unions (FSEȘ). The protesters demanded that the commitment to increase salaries starting September 1, 2026, be honored. The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) and national branch trade union centers expressed solidarity with the demands of education and science employees and joined the protest, TRIBUNA reports.

The protest was prompted by concerns over whether the authorities’ announced commitment to increase the salaries of education and science employees starting September 1, 2026, would be fulfilled. For the trade unions, the demand concerns not only income, but also dignity, respect for work, and recognition of the strategic role of education and science in the country’s development.

CNSM President Igor Zubcu stressed that education can truly be considered a priority only if this is reflected in the budget, salary levels, and the respect shown to those working in the sector. The trade union leader pointed out that performance cannot be expected from people earning wages barely sufficient for survival and called on the Government and Parliament to identify the resources needed to increase salaries in education, treating remuneration in the sector as a strategic investment in the future of the Republic of Moldova.

“The main issue that brought us into the streets is about dignity, respect, and keeping one’s word. We are not asking for privileges or favors, but for commitments to be honored and for teachers’ salaries to reflect both the work they perform and the strategic importance of education for the country’s future,” said Ghenadie Donos, President of the Federation of Education and Science Trade Unions.

FSEȘ considers a decent salary a right, not a privilege, and says that the work of teaching staff, support personnel, and research employees must be recognized through fair and motivating remuneration. In the Resolution adopted during the protest, trade unionists stressed that education and science cannot be considered priorities merely in speeches, but must be supported through public policies and concrete decisions.

The protesters’ main demand is that the commitment to increase salaries in education and science starting September 1, 2026, be respected. Trade unionists are calling for the increase to be clearly provided for in legislation and effectively reflected in employees’ incomes.

FSEȘ is also calling for a real and equitable salary increase that would contribute to improving employees’ living standards and reducing disparities between different categories of public-sector workers.

The Federation points out that remuneration is essential to making teaching and research careers more attractive, attracting and retaining young specialists, and preventing the exodus of qualified personnel.

Another demand concerns respect for the principles of social partnership and the establishment of genuine social dialogue. FSEȘ is calling for the effective involvement of the trade union organization in developing and implementing decisions concerning remuneration and working conditions in the sector.

Trade unionists are also demanding salary predictability so that employees in education and science can know in advance the prospects and mechanisms for increasing their incomes and benefit from professional security and stability.

FSEȘ emphasizes that recognition of the strategic importance of education and research must also be reflected in salary levels. “Investment in education, science, and the people working in these fields is not an expense, but an investment in the country’s future,” the protest Resolution states.

During the action, the Federation sent a firm message to the Government and Parliament, requesting that they present, as soon as possible, the concrete mechanism for increasing salaries, the amount of the increase, and the financial measures necessary to fulfill the commitment to raise incomes.

“PROMISES MUST BE KEPT! SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 MUST BECOME THE DATE OF A REAL SALARY INCREASE, NOT ANOTHER PROMISE!” — this was the central message of the Resolution adopted by the protesters.

During the protest, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun, and Minister of Finance Victoria Belous came out to the trade unionists and held a dialogue with the participants. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan emphasized that investment in education is a priority for the Government, while stressing that economic recovery is necessary to make these investments possible. He also said that the authorities would present the solutions identified for increasing teachers’ salaries.

FSEȘ warned that if the demands are not addressed and the commitments made are not fulfilled, the Federation reserves the right to resort to all legally permitted forms of trade union action until concrete and formally agreed solutions are obtained.

The message from the trade unionists was firm: “We demand respect for work! We demand fairness! We demand decent salaries! We demand that promises be kept!”