Professors and staff at Belgrade University have reported that they did not receive the second part of theirFebruary salaries.

Aleksandar Baucal, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, confirmed that salaries were not disbursed, characterizing the situation as a "political war by the authorities against dissenters."

The salary delays follow similar financial constraints imposed on teachers in secondary and primary schools as well, coinciding with a public statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who indicated on television that faculty members would not receive payments for suspending courses.

His remarks reflected sentiments previously expressed at gatherings across Serbia, indicating that "the state will not reward those who do not work."

In a pointed response, Vučić stated that "professors who do nothing but participate in blockades will receive nothing," contending that the public was pleased to see action against perceived inefficiencies.

This announcement followed a significant protest in Belgrade on March 15, where the university community and students engaged in blockades but maintained their positions.

Tensions between the university community and the government appear to be escalating, with the university administration possibly anticipating a decline in protest intensity with the approach of summer.

This assumption may prompt further governmental actions to encourage universities to abandon their blockades.

Allegations of the use of sonic weapons against peaceful demonstrators have persisted, adding to the complexity of the ongoing disputes.

Baucal further noted that university professors, along with teachers, feel that the state is acting in the interests of the current government rather than its citizens, indicating a disconnect between government decisions and public welfare.

He expressed that, despite the lack of paid salaries, there is increased motivation among academic colleagues to address the existing issues.

Mario Reljanović, a legal expert specializing in labor law and head of the Center for Dignified Work, labeled President Vučić's announcements regarding unpaid salaries as illegal and emphasized that only the Ministry of Education has the authority to determine salary calculations for professors.

Reljanović indicated that while some faculties had declared strikes, many others were effectively immobilized by blockades, which prevented faculty from fulfilling their teaching obligations.

He elaborated that a faculty in blockade could not conduct exams or classes, noting that even supportive faculty members found it impossible to perform their duties.

Reljanović criticized the government's pressure as counterproductive, asserting that it would not dissuade professors from backing student demands and urging that due process, as per labor laws, should be adhered to.

The Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Novi Sad, Srđan Rončević, remarked that actions are pending regarding the Ministry of Education's response to the president's statements, as uncertainty remains surrounding the payment of salaries and conditions for faculty.

The Ministry has sought clarity on faculty operational status, including whether classes and examinations continue, to inform their subsequent actions.

Minister of Education Slavica Đukić Dejanović specified that such inquiries aim to ascertain the operational status of various higher educational institutions and compliance with existing laws.

She acknowledged that situations vary significantly across faculties, with some having ceased operations based on internal decisions.

Political parties have alleged that the Ministry issued communications to ascertain whether university rectors and deans informed internal affairs or requested interventions due to the faculty blockades.

The Ministry clarified that these communications were aimed at evaluating the situation within institutions rather than inviting police involvement, reiterating the legal frameworks governing educational institutions and the responsibilities of administrative bodies.