“They have every right to protest but strikes and protests will not solve the problems.”

He asked PSZ to give talks a chance. The government does not question the motives of teachers. In turn, teachers should accept that Hungary’s elected representatives want the situation to improve, Lázár said. He indicated that teachers were making demands that amounted to a 15- 20% wage increase.

An ongoing scheme already boosts wages, and teachers should accept that Hungary cannot afford to raise their wages by 20% each year, he added.

At the same time, the government is receptive concerning several professional issues raised by the teachers and the trade union, he added.

The minister said it was clear that it was in the interest of certain people that the teacher’s actions should be politicised. He said such people had organised anti-government demonstrations in the past and financiers had given money to antigovernment forces many for years.

PSZ said in response that it would be ready for negotiations but only if it is treated as an equal partner. The trade union has not rejected the government’s offer for talks but “it will not sit down to a party table” where the guests have been selected by the government “wantonly, without consultations” and where the “menu” has been assembled by them.

PSZ said it rejects Lázár’s attempt to pressurise them because this only makes cooperation between the negotiating partners more difficult.

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