LISBON (Portal) In another blow to the Portuguese government, tens of thousands of teachers and other staff at Portuguese schools took to the streets of the capital Lisbon to demand higher wages and better working conditions in one of the biggest protests in recent years in the country.
During the peaceful demonstration organized by the Union of All Education Professionals (STOP), demonstrators raised banners and shouted slogans calling for the resignation of Education Minister João Costa.
Teachers in the minimum salary group earn around 1,100 euros a month and even teachers in the upper school usually earn less than 2,000 euros a month. Protesters say current wages are too low, especially given the rising cost of living.
“Teachers deserve a fair salary because we’ve worked all our lives… we’ve never been corrupt and we’ve never stolen like the bad example that unfortunately comes from politicians,” 62yearold history teacher Maria Duarte said while speaking on the inception of the march waited.
The Socialists, led by Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, won a clear parliamentary majority in an election a year ago, but the government has since traveled a tumultuous path, with 13 ministers and secretaries of state resigning, some over allegations of past misconduct or questionable practices.
(Reporting by Catarina Demony, Miguel Pereira and Pedro Nunes)