Education Ministry admits that the teachers’ salaries are insufficient, while their work is very important, Education Minister Daniel Vulchev said.

The Ministry, as a representative of the state, negotiates with the three teachers’ syndicates, he told Bulgarian National Radio.

The main topics of discussion were the demanded 100 per cent raise in the salaries of the teachers and the deadline for the raise. The syndicates demanded the increase to be made within the current budget, which means, from October 1 2007.

Vulchev said that the salaries were raised by 10 per cent as from July 1 2007. Additionally, a differentiated payment was introduced, which added another average of five per cent to the salaries.

The Cabinet agreed to introduce another 10 per cent increase on January 1 2008 plus again five per cent differentiated payment. The third rise of 10 per cent of the wages and five per cent differentiated payment would be expected on July 1 2008.

In total the wages would rise by 52 per cent, Velchev said.