MUT says minister's claims of proposed €10,000 rise in teacher's salary is not true

Responding to the MUT's statement education minister Clifton Grima insisted that government's proposals does include a €36,000 starting salary, and threatened to publish the entire proposed deal

18 May 2024, 11:53am
by Matthew Farrugia

2 min read

The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has publicly refuted claims made by education minister Clifton Grima regarding salary increases for teachers.

On Saturday, the MUT was reacting to a ONE News article, where Grima encouraged the union to inform its members of government's financial proposals, as he stated that the financial package includes a starting salary of €36,000 for teachers, which represents a €10,000 increase.

Screenshots published on the MUT's website show contradictions between education minister Clifton Grima's comments and government's proposals to educators

The minister's assertions of €10,000 raises and a starting salary of €36,000 for new teachers are not reflected in the government's financial proposals to the MUT, the union said. The MUT published extracts from the government's latest proposal on their website, which show no evidence of these claimed increases.

Instead, the documents reveal proposed increases in teaching load, a loss of parity between currently equivalent grades, and salary arrears for 2024 excluding 2023.

The MUT accused the government of trying to save face by discrediting the union rather than working towards a solution for the sectoral agreement. The union emphasised its resolve to continue fighting for the recognition and fair treatment of educators, as it concluded that its members, "shall not be intimidated."

On Friday, the MUT issued an ultimatum to the government regarding the sectoral agreement which is yet to be agreed upon, as the union also declared a trade dispute with the government.

Education minister responds to MUT claims

Responding to the MUT's statement on Saturday, education minister Clifton Grima insisted that government's proposals does include a €36,000 starting salary. "And this is only one raise for one category of educators," Grima said. He noted that the proposals include more raises which don't require additional work load or qualifications.

Grima reiterated his call for the MUT to fully inform its members, adding that the union is making no reference to the last two meetings between government and the union.

Grima threatened to publish the entire proposed deal should the MUT "continue to share selective information that paints a false picture."

Matthew Farrugia is a staff reporter at MaltaToday