Trade unionists are far too often subject to attacks by repressive governments. Every year, many are subjected to violence, arrest and imprisonment, torture and even murder. Trade union leaders in education are targeted by non-democratic governments who seek total control of education, and deny teachers and education support personnel their rights.
Even in democratic countries, many education workers are denied the right to join unions and/or engage in collective bargaining. Where bargaining exists, limits on its scope can be imposed. Moreover, teachers and education support personnel are denied the right to strike.
Education International also supports the right of students to organise and join the fight for more inclusive and democratic communities.
Working closely with our member organisations, other global unions and human rights networks, we use supervisory mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels to ensure rights and standards are respected and social dialogue is effective.
Solidarity actions among our global membership are a powerful tool to advance rights everywhere.
112th International Labour Conference (Geneva, 3-14 June 2024)
You will find below information regarding the annual Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ILO is the only UN tripartite body, which means that its constituencies include representatives of governments and of workers’ and employers’ organisations. Every national delegation is tripartite.
Held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Labour Conference (ILC) plays both a political and a technical role. It is the place where new policy priorities are discussed, and where international labour standards are adopted, and their implementation supervised.
The ILC provides education unions a chance to engage in its proceedings through their national trade union centers or Education International (EI).
The specific arrangement for the 112th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) can be found here.
Participation
EI has developed a comprehensive toolkit aimed to assist education unions in navigating rights supervisory mechanisms, with chapter 2 specifically targeting the ILO. This chapter aims to equip unions with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the intricacies of ILO operations.
Recent years have seen a growing number of education union representatives among the workers’ delegations. If you have been included in your national workers delegation, please inform EI, as we are preparing to facilitate a light coordination of teachers’ voices during the Conference.
If you are interested in participating in this year’s ILC, please reach out to your national trade union center for a workers’ delegate appointment. Alternatively, request a seat on the EI delegation. Note that neither EI nor the ILO provide financial assistance. Being part of the EI delegation only grants observer status without speaking rights, as EI holds observer status with the ILO. EI can include up to two representatives per organization, with at least one being a woman.
EI encourages affiliates to promote female participation in the ILC, aligning with the ILO's policy of having over 30% female representatives at ILO meetings.
Topics for discussion at the 112th conference
Standing items I and II: Reports of the Director-General and Programme and Budget
Discussion of the report of the ILO Director General Gilbert Houngbo and adoption of the Programme and Budget. As every year, a speech will be delivered by the EI General Secretary or his representative. The Director General will highlight the importance of global social justice and the call for a new social contract. On June 13th, the ILO hosts the first forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice. EI will emphasize quality education's role in social justice and present the recently adopted UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel recommendations on the Teaching Profession.
Standing item III: Information and reports on the application of Conventions and Recommendations
The Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) addresses labor rights violations. It examines 25 countries selected from the ILO Committee of Experts' annual report, inviting their governments to provide information. CAS then makes recommendations, urging governments to take specific actions or accept ILO missions or technical assistance. The final list of 25 countries will be adopted on June 3, 2024. Additionally, the Committee will discuss a special survey on labor administration on June 4th.
IV. Protection against biological hazards in the working environment (standard-setting, first discussion)
Find the ILO report here.
V. A recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW)
The Committee will review trends, challenges, and areas of progress within the broad framework of the plan of action and with reference to the Integrated Strategy on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 2017–2023 for assessing ILO action and determining future priorities. Find the ILO report here.
VI. Decent work and the care economy (general discussion)
Decent work and the care economy pertains to EI's efforts in improving decent working conditions for paid care workers which include early childhood education teachers and educators. Find the ILO report here.
VII. Abrogation of four international labor Conventions
Find the ILO report here.
The EI secretariat will specifically follow items I, III, V, and VI this year.
