The national minimum wage rises to R$ 4,4, and the São Paulo state government pretends not to see it.

By Professor Francisca 

 The Ministry of Education (MEC) published in the Official Gazette of the Union, On Tuesday (17), Ordinance 17, which defines the readjustment of the National Minimum Wage for Teachers for 2023. The minimum wage will be R$ 4.420,55 for the whole country, based on Law 11.738/2008.

 Even though many states and municipalities still do not comply with the law and do not pay this amount as a minimum wage, it is very important for the Ministry of Education to prioritize professional development as crucial for advancing towards a quality public education that meets the needs of society.

 It is important to emphasize that the law is mandatory and municipalities cannot follow the guidance of the National Council of Municipalities to ignore the Ministry of Education's decree and not pay the minimum wage. This position is that of those who don't care at all about the future of the country.

 Furthermore, the federal government transfers funds to states and municipalities for use in public education, and as stipulated in Goal 17 of the National Education Plan, valuing professionals in this sector is vital for the country to develop with sovereignty.

 São Paulo

 The São Paulo state government turns a blind eye and treats the minimum wage as the maximum salary to be paid to teachers in the state public education system. This is largely because it also implies a minimum wage for education professionals in the private sector, and the State Department of Education, especially under the current administration led by Renato Feder, aims for privatization, thus removing the state's constitutional responsibility for education.

 We all know that public education is vital for overcoming the crisis and for the country to grow again while combating inequalities. Only in this way will we no longer see so many ignorant people destroying such important artistic works of our culture. Only in this way will we no longer see so much hatred towards culture, knowledge, and science—sectors of life without which there is no full life for anyone.

 Even more so for the working class, who depend on their labor to survive. For them, public education is the best way to overcome life's hardships. This is because every working mother and father wants a better life for their daughters and sons. And without quality, inclusive, democratic, and diverse public education, the chance for working youth to improve their lives diminishes significantly.

 Therefore, in São Paulo, our fight is for the reinstatement of the national minimum wage as the actual minimum wage. Because the São Paulo state government acts as if it were the maximum wage. The teachers in the public education system are fighting for quality education.

 Therefore, our fight is for the repeal of Complementary Law 1.374/2022 so that we can have a decent career plan, with professional recognition and continuing education. We also fight for schools that are well-structured and have the conditions to carry out their work fully, thus providing the best for children and young people.

 In addition to these prerogatives, it is more than urgent to hold a public competition to end the shortage of teachers and the precarious work, made possible by temporary contracts, which are already very numerous in the state.

 The problem is that the current Secretary of Education, from the state that collects the most revenue in the country, claims that teachers' salaries are excellent. In addition to hindering dialogue with union representatives, the secretary aims to keep our salaries stagnant and implement ways to put even more pressure on this already heavily burdened profession.

 Only our resilience keeps public education in São Paulo functioning. We will fight to advance our rights and show society, especially workers, the need for a comprehensive education for their daughters and sons.

 Professor Francisca is the director of the Secretariat for Educational and Cultural Affairs of Apeoesp – the Union of Teachers of the Official Education System of the State of São Paulo, the Health Director of the National Confederation of Education Workers (CNTE), the Finance Secretary of the Central Workers' Union of Brazil (CTB), and a director of CTB-SP.