Serbian scientists staged a protest in front of the Finance Ministry for the fourth time on Friday, demanding better working conditions.

The employees of scientific institutions said they want equal pay and explained that their salaries vary up to 65 percent between institutions. They also want long-term contracts.

Science Union leader Djurdjica Jovovic said that their demands were initially made in 2021. “We want equal pay for equal work. We are still getting salaries based on outdated categories, the criteria to assess our work dates back to 2010, the differences in salaries are huge… We want contracts in line with the law since many researchers who have been working for 10 years are on short-term contracts,” she said.

According to Jovovic, “jobs in science are anything but dignified”. She said the minister never showed up for negotiations.

Jovovic said the protest would be staged every 15th of every month until the demands are met.