All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
In Geneva, the Committee on Sectoral and Technical Meetings (STM) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Body approved on 19 March a new approach to activities that takes ILO's agenda out into the workplace.
ILO Committee backs New Approach to Key Outreach Activities
EI was shocked by the use of force at a church-led prayer rally in Harare last Sunday which resulted in one death and many casualties, including women and children.
Zimbabwe: EI condemns the beating of opposition leaders
EI’s mission to help its affiliate the East Timor Teacher Union (ETTU) resume its activities has been postponed due to civil unrest.
EI Mission to East Timor postponed due to instability in the country
Arsonists have attacked and destroyed the offices of the Sakarya branch of EI member organisation Egitim-Sen. Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident.
Turkey: Egitim-Sen offices attacked
EI affiliate the Zimbabwe Teachers Union (ZIMTA) has instructed its members to join a general strike.
Zimbabwe: Teachers join national protest as inflation reaches 1600%
EI Vice President Abdulwaheed Omar has been elected President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on 16 February 2007.
Nigeria: EI Vice President elected President of the Nigerian Labour Congress
A new government is being formed after the coalition agreement was presented on 7 February. Two former Presidents of the Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) Ella Vogelaar and Jacques Tichelaar were appointed to important positions in the new government.
Netherlands: Former AOb Presidents appointed to new Dutch government
Last month we reported on the disappearance of Meqcha Mengistu, Chairperson of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA) East Gojam Zonal Executive and member of the ETA Committee for the implementation of the EI/ETA EFAIDS Programme. Mr. Mengistu has now been located and is awaiting trial.
EFAIDS Committee Member Located
As part of the Global Labour University network, EI would like to inform its members that the next academic year of Global Labour University (GLU) is now open for applications. Two Master prgrammes on Labour and Globalisation for trade unionists are offered in 2008-2009 by the network, formed by the...
International Master Programmes on Labour and Globalisation for Trade Unionists now open for Application
A Trade Union Rights Workshop which was held from 14-16 Jan 2007 for EI member organisations from the Southeast Asian region received widespread support from participants from all corners of the region.
ASEAN Trade Union Rights Workshop received region-wide support
On 30 and 31 January 2007 in Berlin, 450 delegates from across Europe will attend the first ever European Equality summit to mark 2007 as European Year of Equal Opportunities as designated by the European Commission.
EI welcomes launch of European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
A delegation of 12 international trade union leaders at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos this week will be calling companies to account on corporate taxation, the role of private equity investment and the social and environmental responsibilities of business.
World Economic Forum: the International Trade Union movement challenges Business leaders on Corporate Responsibility
EI joins the call of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in condemning the recent killing of civilians and detention of top union leaders by the Guinean government.
Guinea: EI condemns killing of demonstrators
EI's affiliate in Cambodia, the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association (CITA), and the Cambodia trade union centre (FTUWKC, Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia) will mark the third anniversary of the murder of Chea Vichea, the President of the Cambodia trade union centre. He was gunned down...
Cambodian unionists do not forget the murder of their leader three years ago
Below is an update regarding the Urgent Action Appeal launched on 4 January on behalf of elected union officers of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA). Your solidarity is still indispensable as the ETA officers in detention continue to be subjected to torture!
Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
Education International is happy to have the support of Amnesty International in its appeal for the release of ETA officials. An urgent action appeal was launched on 4 Jan for the release of Tilahun Ayalew, Anteneh Getnet and Meqcha Mengistu, who are prominent members of EI's affiliate, the Ethiopian Teacher...
Ethiopia: Amnesty International adopts detained ETA officials as prisoners of conscience
On 12 Dec 2006, the High Court of the Sindh province in Pakistan ruled in favour of the Sindh Primary Teachers' Association in a case against the provincial government's ban on all activities carried out by teacher unions. The Court declared the government's ban "unlawful and of no legal effect".
Pakistan: Sindh High Court ruled that the ban on teacher unions is illegal
An urgent action appeal is launched on 4 January by EI, which calls on all member organisations and partners to support the elected union officers of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA).
EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia