Ei-iE

The three elected officers of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) detained since December 2006 have finally been released on 22 March. Tilahun Ayalew, Meqcha Mengistu and Antenech Getenet were detained and tortured by the police for over three months. They were freed from custody when they last appeared in court...

EI sent a message to the Prime Minister of Thailand on 30 March, expressing its concerns about the level of violence in the south of the country. According to the UN, over 2000 lives have been lost in the past 3 years, including those of 60 teachers.

Representatives from EI, the Southern African Teacher Organisation (SATO) and the Southern African Trade Union Co-ordinating Council (SATCC) are currently in Botswana to show solidarity with the President of the Botswana Teachers' Union (BTU), Japhta Radibe.

The Global Unions launched the Zero Cancer campaign in Geneva, Switzerland on 23 March with a occupational cancer prevention guide for workers.

EI has written to the President of Guatemala on 21 March supporting the demands of its member organisation, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación de Guatemala (STEG).

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.

EI representatives visited teachers’ unions in Eastern and Southern Africa at the end of February to review the EFAIDS activities undertaken in 2006 and to plan for EFAIDS activities in 2007.

The BUT/Barbados has reacted positively to the Government of Barbados’ announcement on plans to introduce anti-discrimination legislation this year for people living with HIV/AIDS. If properly implemented, the new laws would signify a considerable step forward for the movement to ensure greater protection for HIV positive teachers and workers in...

The EFAIDS Brochure outlines the response by teachers and teachers’ unions to Education for All and HIV and AIDS. It is now available in all of EI’s official languages – English, French and Spanish.

A new report by the UK-based organisation Panos looks at how social movements have brought change to the response to HIV and AIDS.

This month Dorah Johnson of the BTU/Botswana gave her views to EI on the issue of integrating HIV and AIDS into the curriculum.

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.

EI’s mission to help its affiliate the East Timor Teacher Union (ETTU) resume its activities has been postponed due to civil unrest.

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.

EI affiliate the Zimbabwe Teachers Union (ZIMTA) has instructed its members to join a general strike.

EI Vice President Abdulwaheed Omar has been elected President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on 16 February 2007.

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.

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.