They call for an 8% or higher salary increase and greater union participation in negotiations.
On Thursday, the Union of Educators of Paraguay (UNE) and the Organization of Education Workers of Paraguay (OTEP-SN) mobilized in Asuncion and other cities to demand better salaries, greater public investment in education and solutions to structural problems.
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They rejected a pact signed between the Federation of Educators of Paraguay (FEP) and Education Minister Luis Ramirez, arguing that it is an attempt to break union unity.
The agreement between the government of right-wing President Santiago Peña and the FEP sets the salary floor at 4.488 million guaranies (US$760), provides for a 5% salary increase in 2027, allocates US$9 million to pay the teacher salary scale and assigns about US$6.6 million to settle the state’s debt with the Social Security Institute accumulated since 2015.
The Peña administration also promised to restructure the design of the teaching career by March 2027, directing future salary increases toward mechanisms for continuous evaluation and meritocracy.
Trump to Paraguayan President Santiago Peña: “Always nice to be young and handsome. Doesn’t mean we have to like you. I don’t like young, handsome men. Women — I like.” pic.twitter.com/RdESxv3UYi
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) February 19, 2026
Although FEP leader Silvio Piris signed the agreement, the UNE called the negotiations with the Peña administration “an abrupt and unconsulted decision” and continues to insist on a salary increase of 8% or higher.
“Agreements are not made based on impositions. The government sought to impose the agreement on the other unions without providing them with the details for their analysis,” UNE President Rafael Resquin said, warning that budget working groups faced systematic delays and that the mobilizations would seek to block ratification of the agreed amounts through direct actions before parliamentary committees.
The FEP itself clarified that it is not abandoning its original demand for an 8% increase and will continue lobbying lawmakers to raise the percentage set during discussions over the 2027 budget.
Members of the Inter-Union Committee of the Education Sector took to the streets across Paraguay to demand crucial education reforms, an 8% salary increase, salary grades for elementary school teachers, and dedicated staff for inclusive education.
The nationwide demonstrations… pic.twitter.com/ATk641dZSc
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 17, 2026
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Sources: teleSUR – Diario Hoy
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