MEA warns against 'excessive' increases to university lecturers

Clemens Hasengschwandtner

Oct 10th 2008, 22:51

Besides all pro and contra I think the minimum they deserve is compensation for inflation. The lecturers haven't got a pay rise since 2003 which means that taking a yearly inflation of only 2 % they earn 10 % less than 2003. Since the inflation is more like 3 % yearly it's actually 15 % less.

All government employees, yes the whole population gets a small pay rise every year so it is only fair that the teachers get their share as well. The government invested more than a billion Euros in the dry docks which do not have a future and then when it comes to things which are actually important then they are out of money. After all these teachers train the future elite of Malta - which in the end are our future.

Lets save money when it comes to Ministers cars, police escorts and god knows how much more money is wasted on a daily basis and invest it there where it really counts.

Jimmy Grech

Oct 10th 2008, 18:00

@o.s.galea
Nahseb int tikkuntenta jekk l employer tieghek ma jatikx an agreement of work for 5 years, hux hekk? And you will be really happy to negotiate a new agreement for the next 7 years whereby you're only given peanuts. Right? So let these ppl negotiate their needs and I say their rights as well. Gov has a responsibility here and no matter what cikku il poplu say, he has to focus on attaining excellence in Education, specifically in the highest institution of the country. Mohhok hemm Gonzi/Fenech...don't be shabby on this too!!

J.Borg

Oct 10th 2008, 17:54

@o.s. galea ... please do not rely on what you hear....but facts. Salaries requested are compared to salaries in Cyprus (not say Germany) and scaled down to Malta's GDP. Also please realize that academic staff do not only lecture...they also carry out research through which they also get access to EU funded projects with some of us even employing full-time staff on funds generated (not funds coming from Government)! Well now to some basic maths. The University student population is approximately 10,000. IF (and I repeat IF) the University had to charge students 500 Euros annually...it will make an income of Euros 5Million annually...resulting in an average salary increase of Euros 10,000 per academic. Similarly, if courses were charged at 1500 Euros per student per year (when abroad...a course can cost between 2-3K per annum), the average salary increase per academic would be 30,000 Euros each. I am not here implying that the University should start charging fees.. I am simply making a point that if Government wants to continue providing stipends....fine...but stipends without good lecturers staying on & being motivated is indeed a big waste!

J Farrugia

Oct 10th 2008, 17:54

Oh yes we know what we are talking about, even though we are not professionals like you are and not academically learned like you are but we know how to appreciate pounds shillings and pence, and that's were it hurts most. Why should you be the privileged class? The University has just started and woe and behold, lectures are already being missed by our children.

Jimmy Grech

Oct 10th 2008, 17:45

@Anthony Formosa
So your opinion of lecturers is so low that you think that you can do better without them. I don't think that someone like yourself should comment on the topic, you're showing that you don't know what they're talking about and that you don't care less whether our children will have the opportunity of becoming professional ppl. Are you one of those that still preach the numerus clausus song or that we only need technical ppl and no professionals?

o.s. galea

Oct 10th 2008, 17:15

I heard tell that local lecturers demand the same salary as lecturers in foreign universities.... well..... fair enough if they accept the same working conditions..... The job of a lecturer should not be considered as a job with the government.... i.e. once in, you're set for life come hell or high water until you decide to leave.
@ Mr. Borg..... not many local teachers opt to teach abroad (unlike Maltese doctors and other technical professions) Abroad teachers are seriously held accountable... and not... in the worst of cases.... shifted from one school to another. If, year after year, your students perform badly then you're out.
No amount of PhDs makes you a good lecturer... it simply proves that you're an excellent academic.
Speaking for the UK.... students hailing from a low income family get a grant for tuition and accommodation. Students in Scotland have free tuition.

In any case, one has to approach this situation holistically. Malta is Malta...... not Germany, not the UK and not the USA. Nobody I know gets the same salary for a like-for-like job in these countries.

Anthony Formosa

Oct 10th 2008, 16:51

@ J.Borg, nobody is stopping you from going elsewhere if you feel that you're underestimated, everyone has a value in our society and you're not an exception, the door is open to everyone.

Simon Borg

Oct 10th 2008, 16:10

The MEA has shown that it has a poor understanding of economics. Paying lecturers higher wages makes perfect economic sense. This would keep our more talented lecturers and researchers at the UOM and even attract many of the best brains in industry to contribute to academia. This, in turn, would improve the standards, skill sets and appreciation for innovation in the Maltese workforce. The alternative is to merely compensate them for the inflation of the past 5 years and maintain the status quo, where many of our most talented move abroad. Also, many students end up studying abroad particularly at the masters level, which apart from channeling a lot of money to foreign universities, also channels our talent, as many decide to stay away from their home island, where academic excellence is undervalued.

P.S. I am not an academic, I am a layman with an interest in economics.

R.Zammit

Oct 10th 2008, 15:58

@J.Borg

In Malta it seems, only the MEA and MHRA (who not long ago issued a similar statement) are allowed to pertain to the 'privileged' class. Others they think, must fall in line and serve them.

Keith Davis

Oct 10th 2008, 15:54

Dear Mr.J.Borg, Yes the university lecturers are undoubtedly asking for way too much. An increase in salary is one thing ...a double pay is definitely another, and obviously just too absurd for the general public!

J.BORG

Oct 10th 2008, 15:03

Dear MEA - Thank you for understanding how privileged we academics are. We are not asking for a salary increase because we think we should be privileged. We are asking for a salary increase because we have been waiting for a new collective agreement since 2003. In addition, we are so privileged that we do not only need a first degree, but we need a Masters and of course...a PhD. Why? Not only because this is part of our conditions...but also because through these higher qualifications, we can help Maltese become more knowledge-based. How you arrived at the fact that our claim is exorbitant....is unclear. Please remember that our last agreement expired in 2003. Also, unlike other foreign Universities, we do not charge students a fee...we rather pay them a stipend...and that is a good mechanism. But please, do note expect us to keep on subsidizing the stipend system ourselves! If the University could charge as others do abroad, it would make sufficient funds to provide the increase requested and even more. By they way...we're so privileged that we can actually... if we decide to, go elsewhere....where we're much more valued!