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“In many countries, core labour standards are far from fully applied for the teaching profession” EI’s representative told the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the EI General Secretary, Bob Harris reminded the audience that the most recent report of the joint International Labour Organisation (ILO)/UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning the Teaching Personnel (CEART) indicates that “in education we are seeing de-professionalisation on a massive scale. Volunteers or unqualified persons on low pay are replacing qualified teachers. Payments of teacher wages are delayed, collective agreements are unilaterally revoked.”

Quoting the case of Colombia, he pointed out that 50 teacher unionists had been killed over the last 30 months. Yet, in an allusion to the tactic used by several countries of keeping their names off the list of ILO cases, he stated: “It is time to ‘bell the cat’ over the game of blocking dialogue at the Commission on the Application of Standards.” He called on governments and employers to “stop this game,” and denounced that “it does not serve people. It does not serve the ILO.”

The CEART report also “made it abundantly clear that it is time for action on conditions for teachers. Action by governments to engage with education unions through social dialogue is the way forward.” Explaining “our education unions are ready to play their role as social partners,” Mr. Harris asked: “But what are governments, in particular, doing to implement its recommendations?”

He said “EI agrees with the ILO on the strategic importance of the decent work agenda and the social dimension of globalisation. EI, with other Global Unions, supports ILO’s role as a place where governments, employers and workers can work together as well as the ILO’s role at the G20.”

Mr. Harris stated “all ILO’s constituents have to do a much better job to implement and respect the commitments achieved here through tripartite dialogue.”

He also deplored that “multiple crises – financial, food, energy and climatic – have set back progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and the Decent Work agenda. Without sound policy, resources, and opportunities for people to participate in their own development through independent unions, many hundreds of million will remain trapped in grinding poverty and indignity.”

Noting “that unions are pillars of democracy,” Mr. Harris explained “across the Arab countries and Africa, legitimate aspirations voiced today through independent labour movements bring opportunities for empowerment, equity, dignity and democracy.”

Reasserting that “education empowers” and “Investing in people is smart strategy” Mr. Harris also said “nations that want to build a sustainable recovery must invest in primary and secondary education, in vocational education and training to upskill workers, in Early Childhood Education, in Higher Education and Research, and in Quality Teacher Education Programmes.”

Mr. Harris reiterated that EI fights for the empowerment of women, for gender equity, and an end to discrimination, and believes “the proposed Convention and Recommendation on Decent Work for Domestic Workers will have a positive impact on women and child labourers.”

EI Senior Coordinator for Human and Trade Union Rights, Dominique Marlet, followed closely the work of the Commission on the Application of Standards, and had numerous contacts with union leaders and government representatives. EI Deputy General Secretary Jan Eastman is representing EI at special sessions of the ILC on child labour and equality.

To read the full declaration by Bob Harris, please click here.