Educators Await Review of Guarantees: What Rights May Be Limited

Educators Await Review of Guarantees: What Rights May Be Limited

Concerns have arisen in the field of education in Ukraine regarding the potential review of labor guarantees initiated by an electronic petition authored by Oleksandr Yatsun. The electronic petition titled 'Regarding the Prevention of Narrowing the Rights and Guarantees of Educators' has already been published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada.

The author of the petition is Oleksandr Yatsun, head of the Kyiv City Organization of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine. The document lists changes that raise concerns among educators. Among the proposed changes are an increase in weekly workload from 18 to 22 hours, a transition to fixed-term contracts, as well as the cancellation of increased salaries for pedagogical titles.

Furthermore, the petition states that the state budget for 2026 must allocate funds for the implementation of Article 61 of the Law of Ukraine 'On Education'. According to this article, the salary of the lowest category education worker should be at least three minimum wages. The petition also expresses concern about possible changes that may narrow the existing guarantees for education workers, including:

• increasing the weekly workload from 18 to 22 hours,
• transitioning from indefinite labor contracts to fixed-term contracts,
• cancellation of increased salaries for pedagogical titles and other professional bonuses,
• removing allowances for class management, checking written works, and managing classrooms,
• introducing a 36-hour work week,
• other norms that may narrow the existing guarantees for education workers.

We insist that the proposed changes do not worsen the working conditions or deprive education workers of their guaranteed rights.

Oleksandr Yatsun

These issues remain relevant for educators who demand the preservation of their rights and guarantees during the reform of the educational sector.

The Importance of Preserving Labor Guarantees

The review of labor guarantees for educators may significantly affect working conditions and the motivation of teachers in Ukraine. Given that the education system has already undergone significant changes, it is crucial that any new proposals do not lead to worsening working conditions for teachers and do not hinder their professional development. The issues raised in the petition reflect broader trends in society where workers' rights are becoming a subject of discussion in the context of economic and social challenges.