WITHOUT SALARIES OR HEALTH INSURANCE: Professors from Niš Faculty of Philosophy protest outside the Ministry of Education today!

Professors and members of the academic community at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Niš, along with colleagues from other universities and citizens, have gathered outside the Ministry of Education building in Belgrade because their colleagues in Niš have not received their salaries for 80 days.

The protest has blocked Nemanjina Street toward Slavija, and after the demonstration outside the ministry, everyone set off on a march toward the Government of Serbia.

Professor Katarina Jovanović of the Faculty of Music at the University of Belgrade said that her colleagues had been without income for 84 days and that their health insurance had also been suspended.

“We are now in the 84th day of this state silently watching as our colleagues are left without income. And that is not all — their legally guaranteed health insurance, which they regularly paid for while working at the faculty, has been revoked,” Jovanović said.

She stated that, as a result, employees are unable to receive medical treatment, have their children treated or exercise their right to sick leave.

“We are here as citizens, both men and women, defenders of the Constitution, defenders of the law and defenders of the integrity of universities,” Jovanović declared.

The problems at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš began when the Government of Serbia decided to establish a Faculty of Serbian Studies by separating three departments from the Niš Faculty of Philosophy, a move opposed by the majority of its employees.