Bitola, 2 September 2024 (MIA) — Protesters marched along Bitola's Shirok Sokak to send "a loud and clear message that collective agreements for elementary and high school teachers need to be honored," Independent Union for Education and Science leader Tomislav Gievski said Monday at Magnolia square, where teachers gathered to rally over pay.

Gievski said teachers' salaries needed to be increased as soon as possible in line with the increase in the minimum wage.

Also, he added, according to their collective agreements, teachers needed to receive their monthly paychecks by the 10th day of each month at the latest.

"We will not give up our rights laid out in the collective agreements and we demand they be fully honored," the union leader said.

He also requested full-time employments for union members as well as paying out bonuses to teachers no later than Dec. 31.

"If our rights in the signed collective agreements are not respected, then as of Jan. 1, 2025, we will start procedures that will cost the state much more," Gievski said. mr/