The National Union of Higher Education and University Staff, affiliated with the Democratic Confederation of Labor, has announced a protest program including a series of national strikes during September and October 2025. This action is in response to what they described as the government’s failure to meet its commitments and the ministry’s procrastination in implementing a fair regulatory system.
According to a statement from the union, the protest schedule will begin with a national strike lasting 48 hours on September 2 and 3, followed by three separate 72-hour strikes: the first on September 9, 10, and 11; the second on September 16, 17, and 18; and the third on September 30, October 1, and 2.
The escalation plan also includes a protest in front of the Ministry of Higher Education on September 10, and another in front of the Ministry of Economy and Finance on October 1, in accordance with decisions made during the extraordinary national council meeting held at the end of July.
The union criticized what it perceived as the submission of the higher education law project to the government secretariat during the summer break without involving social partners, considering this a violation of previous promises. They also condemned the ministry’s continued delays in finalizing a mutually agreed regulatory system since January, accusing the minister of evading dialogue despite the Prime Minister’s commitment to intervene.
The national office concluded by calling for unity among staff and for them to stand together to confront this battle “with seriousness, determination, and sacrifice,” defending their rights and status within the higher education sector.
