Teachers of the Italian High School in Istanbul (Liceo Italiano) on Strike: The Struggle Continues for “Equal Pay for Equal Work”

The strike of teachers working at the Italian High School continues. Teachers are fighting for equal pay for equal work, wages above the poverty line, and equal status.

The strike launched by Turkish teachers working at the Italian High School (Liceo Italiano) in Beyoğlu, Istanbul has entered its 39th day. The teachers, members of the Tez-Koop-İş Union, went on strike on February 2, 2026, in response to low wages, discrimination, and deteriorating working conditions. The striking teachers continue their struggle demanding wages sufficient for a humane life, equal status, and fair working conditions.

Teachers state that there are serious disparities in wages and rights between them and the Italian teachers working at the same school. Despite performing the same work, Turkish teachers receive significantly lower pay, cannot benefit equally from social rights, and have suffered major economic losses in recent years. They also emphasize that they have not received any wage increases for the past three years, and that the proposed raise rates do not correspond to Turkiye’s current economic realities.

“The Ministry of Education Is Acting as a Strikebreaker”

During the strike, the Ministry of National Education (MEB) assigned other teachers to replace those on strike, which has provoked strong reactions. Teachers argue that this practice constitutes strikebreaking and demand that it be withdrawn. It is also reported that following this development, the school administration halted the negotiation process and failed to present any solution to the teachers’ demands.

Demands and Slogans of the Striking Teachers

The striking teachers are demanding not only wage increases but also equal pay for equal work, wages above the poverty line, payment for overtime and supervision duties, collective bargaining guarantees, and equal status within the school. Teachers state that some gains achieved in previous years have been taken back and that working conditions have been steadily worsening.

At the strike tent set up in front of the school, teachers continue to make their demands visible with banners and placards.

During the protests, slogans such as “Equal pay for equal work,” “Long live class solidarity,” “We want a humane life,” and “No salvation alone—either all together or none of us” are chanted.

Teachers also carry placards reading “Strikebreaking is a crime,” “Our lesson is strike against the imposed 0% raise,” “We refuse poverty wages,” and “Stesso lavoro, stessa paga (in Italian, Equal work, equal pay).”

The striking teachers emphasize that their aim is not to stay away from their students and their classrooms. They state that once their demands are met and equal and humane working conditions are secured, they want to return to their school and their students. Until then, they declare that they will continue their struggle until their rights are won.

First published here by Marksizm Şimdi