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.
Education International plays a pivotal role in advocating for the rights and interests of education workers globally, also at influential platforms like the International Labour Organization (ILO) conference.
The 112th International Labour Conference (Geneva, 3-14 June 2024)
The annual International Labour Conference (ILC) offers education unions an opportunity to participate in its proceedings. This year, over sixty education union representatives will attend the ILC, primarily through their national workers' delegations. Representatives from EI affiliates in 32 countries will be present. If you have been included in your national workers' delegation, please inform EI. We are committed to facilitating a light coordination of teachers’ voices during the Conference.
We encourage interested parties unable to attend the conference in person to join the sessions online. Live streams and recordings of the sessions will be available, allowing members worldwide to stay informed and participate remotely.
Preliminary list of delegations can be found here.
Formal logistical details for the 112th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) can be found here.
EI has curated a comprehensive toolkit to assist education unions in leveraging the ILO's mechanisms. This toolkit, especially its second chapter, provides crucial insights into navigating the ILO's complex structure.
Key Agenda Items of the 112th conference
Find the full Agenda here.
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. The speech by Education International will be delivered on 10 June by the EI Deputy General Secretary, Mrs Haldis Holst. A focus will be put on the role of 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.
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.
