Secretary says PI is the only state to pay a linear adjustment to the minimum wage in Education.

The state of Piauí is the only one in Brazil to offer a 7,64% across-the-board increase in the minimum wage for teachers. This is guaranteed by the Secretary of State for Administration and Social Security, Franzé Silva. He emphasizes that in meetings of the Forum of Secretaries of Administration of Brazil, Piauí is the only state guaranteeing the full increase. According to the secretary, most states have delayed salaries for their employees and are unable to grant an increase. He reports that the administrations with better financial conditions are offering, at most, parity with the minimum wage, but none, besides Piauí, are offering a 7,64% increase, which will leave the state's teachers with salaries higher than the national minimum wage.

The statement was given shortly after teachers launched a strike in the state network during an assembly held this Friday (10). The government's proposal, to pay the readjustment in two installments, the first in January and the second in July, was not accepted by the category. The union demands the full payment of the readjustment at once. However, the government claims it does not have the financial means to make the payment in one installment.

"The government has a commitment to teachers. This was already done last year and was fully fulfilled. For 2017, we have the same guidance from Governor Wellington Dias, because his desire and that of the entire government is to provide good conditions for teachers so that education in Piauí continues to improve and stand out. Education indicators are improving every year, and this is due to a series of efforts that include improving infrastructure, salaries, teaching methods, etc."

Franzé Silva emphasizes that the first installment of the readjustment, at a rate of 4%, was already made in January and has already been deposited into the accounts of all teachers. “The next one, to be made in July, could even be brought forward, but first we need to analyze the financial report for the first four months. Without this analysis, we cannot guarantee this readjustment, as the State is already at the limit of the Fiscal Responsibility Law, and any move that causes the administration to exceed this limit could harm all other categories and ongoing projects. Our job is to guarantee better conditions for everyone without disrupting the administration's balance,” he stated.

The state of Piauí is paying teachers a minimum wage above the average of other states. States like São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Alagoas, and Rio Grande do Sul have not granted any adjustments. The national minimum wage announced by the Ministry of Education and defined by law for 2017 is R$ 2.298,80. Last year, the government of Piauí was already paying R$ 2.634,65. With the 7,64% adjustment, the state teachers' salary will be R$ 2.836,93.

Source: CCOM Editorial Staff