Ministry of education staff suspend planned strike amid new negotiations

Employees working in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN) support programs have suspended a planned 24-hour strike, originally scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026. This decision follows an emergency General Assembly held on Friday, October 2, where union representatives from PASEY-PEO evaluated new proposals presented by the Ministry during a meeting on September 30.

The union had previously voiced concerns regarding the lack of unemployment benefits or salary payments for educators during the summer months, as well as procedural issues involving the filling of vacancies for the School of Creative Employment (KIE). The educators argued that these roles were being improperly filled by permanent staff working overtime, rather than by designated fixed-term or open-ended contract workers, a practice they claimed violated existing legislation. Following a protest held on September 3 at the Presidential Palace, the union continued to apply pressure until the recent shift in negotiations.

Under the new 15-day suspension, the Ministry and union representatives are discussing two primary issues: the establishment of a special income replacement allowance for the three summer months with retroactive effect, and a written commitment from the Minister regarding the proper announcement of job openings in support programs. Both sides are now focusing on dialogue to resolve these outstanding labor concerns.