Librarians Demand a Decent Pay During Pécs Protest

More than a hundred people gathered on the steps of the South Transdanubian Regional Library and Knowledge Center in Pécs on Monday for a demonstration organized by the Trade Union of Public Collection and Cultural Education Workers (KKDSZ), demanding fair wage increases for cultural sector employees under the slogan “We Preserve the Past, We Demand the Future!”

Some held signs reading “Even librarians cannot stay silent forever,” “Our work is valuable, our pay is a disgrace,” “Our shelves are full, our wallets are empty,” “The archives are organized, our pay is not,” “Our patience has run out—no extensions,” and, among others, “If one can live for a sense of vocation, why cannot one make a living from that sense of vocation?”

Anita Simonfalvi, secretary of the KKDSZ local chapter at the Győző Csorba Library, the library’s cultural organizer, and the event’s speaker, emphasized that fair pay for cultural workers cannot wait any longer. She welcomed the fact that pay raises for workers in libraries, museums, and archives are specifically included in the budget, and that, according to the prime minister’s announcement, their net pay will increase by 10.7 percent starting in 2027, but she believed this falls short of what is necessary to address the wage gap that has developed over decades, and also falls short of the 25 percent increase that many consider justified as a first step.

“A significant portion of those working in libraries, archives, museums, and public cultural institutions still perform their jobs—which entail a high level of professional responsibility—for unfairly low wages,” she said.

She emphasized that the situation is particularly dire at the Csorba Győző Library in Pécs, as the institution ranks among the county libraries with the lowest wages in the country based on the wage data available to them.

Anita Simonfalvi said the goal is to ensure fair, tiered pay raises and guaranteed catch-up pay, so that employees receive predictable wages determined according to the same principles for work of equal value, to introduce nationally guaranteed transparent minimum wages, and to take into account the qualifications required for the position, professional experience, and the level of responsibility. They also demand that a state guarantee ensure the financing of cultural sector wages, as well as a predictable career advancement system and good working conditions, she added.

She noted that they understand the problems that have accumulated over decades cannot be solved overnight, but those who are trying to make ends meet on such low wages today do not necessarily have another few years to wait for change.

If their peaceful protests do not yield the desired results, they will resort to more radical measures—she pointed out, adding that they will do so legally, in an organized manner, and with full awareness of the consequences.

The average wages of museum, library, and archive staff, as well as public education workers—including restorers, archaeologists, archivists, museum educators, librarians, and support staff—are strikingly low relative to the responsibility of their work, barely exceeding the official minimum wage and amounting to only around 460,000 forints gross (around 1,252 euros).

Via MTI; Featured photo: MTI/Ruprech Judit

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