Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Tuesday called on the leaders of striking teachers' unions to think about the effects of the strike which has been going on for three weeks, noting that it was unreasonable to strike when wages were to be increased.

“With all due respect for the right to strike, the messages that have been sent are unreasonable. It is unreasonable to strike if your wage is being increased and if wages of those you represent will be increased. I don’t consider that to be rational,” Plenkovic told reporters after opening the 42nd Interliber book and teaching aids fair.

Plenkovic said that his government had put the state and economy on sound foundations.

Noting that borrowing on financial markets had decreased, he said: “The government’s having increased wages by 18% through basic collective agreements alone is a huge change.”

He dismissed criticism that the government was not talking with the unions.

“Talks have been underway all the time. We have to keep the interests of parents and children in mind. It’s not that easy having to take care of where to leave your child,” he added.