Teachers In, Doctors Out

After three weeks of protests, the nationwide strike by teachers in general education schools and kindergartens has come to an end. What began with over 10,000 teachers eventually grew to include more than 35,000 educators across the country. In total, operations at 675 schools and kindergartens were suspended.

Following almost daily negotiations, both sides agreed to raise the teachers’ base salary by 20 percent starting November 1, setting it at 2.8 million MNT, and to further increase it to 3.5 million MNT beginning in November 2026. Teachers had demanded that their base salary reach 3.5 million MNT immediately, but the government insisted that a 20 percent increase starting in 2026 was the most feasible option. Authorities also stated that they would explore possibilities for teachers to access mortgage loans under favorable conditions, with only 5–10 percent down payment.

However, as teachers return to work, doctors and other healthcare professionals have officially announced that they will go on strike beginning November 14. Medical workers have been holding peaceful demonstrations in Sukhbaatar Square since October 9. Although negotiations between the Ministry of Health and the medical workers’ union began last Wednesday, union representatives walked out of the meeting after the ministry proposed only a 15 percent pay increase without presenting a clear plan or formula.

So far, around 30 hospitals and health centers, including provincial and district medical facilities, have declared their intention to join the strike. Meanwhile, major hospitals such as the National Center for Maternal and Child Health, the National Trauma and Orthopedic Research Center, and the First State Central Hospital have expressed support for the strike but stated that they will continue operations due to the critical nature of their services.

Now, the government of G.Zandanshatar—recently reinstated following a Constitutional Court decision—faces the tough challenge of negotiating with medical workers just after settling the teachers’ strike. It is worth noting that the state budget is scheduled for approval on November 15.