Dialogue and joint work needed for future of Latvian children, not ultimatums - Karins

RIGA - Dialogue and joint work is needed for future of Latvian children, not ultimatums, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) believes.

"The future of Latvia's children needs dialogue and joint work, not ultimatums. The schedule for the salary increase of teachers has been adopted and today we will adopt the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers. Our goal - to achieve a consistent and predictable increase in the salary of teachers - will be achieved," Karins wrote on his Twitter account, in response to the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) promise to demand his resignation.

As reported, LIZDA has promised to demand Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins' resignation if the government approves the regulations for raising teachers' salaries and balancing their workload.

The trade union's council took the decision at an extraordinary meeting on Thursday.

Ministers are expected to approve the government regulations for raising teachers' salaries and balancing their workload at an extraordinary cabinet sitting this Friday.

LIZDA indicates that the main reason for demanding the prime minister's resignation is the delayed implementation of an agreement with the teachers' union and ignoring of the principles of good governance.

The trade union is also angered by the prime minister's arrogant attitude to an invitation to attend a demonstration of education and science employees on April 24. The trade union still has received no response from Karins.

LETA also reported, the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) has decided to stage a rally on April 24 and call a nationwide three-day strike of teachers. The union said earlier that it was no longer ready to negotiate with politicians and that there would be no reconciliation talks.