EI is following the developments in Tunisia since the Jasmine Revolution. There are growing signs of deterioration of public liberties (freedom of the press, freedom of association, women’s rights…) that make essential the continuous support from EI to its two affiliates, SGEB and FGESRS, who are fighting for public education and to raise the profile of the teaching profession. The absence social dialogue and the non-respect of the governmental engagements led to a series of industrial actions in the education sector in the spring 2012 and led EI to write to the Minister of Education and the Prime Minister. EI took advantage of the presence of the Tunisian President at the ILO General Assembly in June to deliver him the 2 EI letters and advocate for the respect of the engagements.
EI also supports the demands of its affiliates for a constitution that will guarantee the fundamental rights (social, economic and workers’ rights) and democracy.
In the framework of its development cooperation programme for the trade unions in the MENA region, EI launched a project for the strengthening of the trade union capacities of SGEB provincial leaders (September 2012-June 2013).The higher education union FGESRS will be involved in some of the project activities.