Asia-Pacific

Solidarity with EI affiliates in Cambodia

EI expressed its solidarity with its affiliates in Cambodia, the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) and the National Educators’ Association for Development (NEAD), in the context of political instability in the country.

Pressure on unions from the authorities has increased in the face of the National Assembly general election in July 2018. The adoption of new provisions to the Trade Union Law, detrimental to trade union rights, is of concern as it further disimproves the situation of workers’ organisations.

At the International Labour Conference in June 2017, the Cambodian government agreed to implement the recommendations of the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards in a time-bound manner. This was to ensure that freedom of association can be exercised freely, that the Trade Union Law complies with international labour standards, and that teachers and other workers are protected with regard to their trade union activities.

EI has committed to assist CITA and NEAD in making their government accountable for implementing these recommendations.

PGRI/EI Consortium Project-Annual evaluation and planning meeting in Indonesia

From 5-7 December, the Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia(PGRI)/EI Consortium Project activities were reviewed in Jakarta. Five newly trained lead organisers shared their experiences, recounting how their trade union skills, values and characters were developed via the project.

The Audit Report on the 2017 National Action Plan showed that PGRI online registrations had increased by 13 per cent, from over 1.5 million members in 2016 to over 1.8 million members as of early December 2017. This is significant, given the total teacher population in Indonesia of over 3.5 million.

The exponential increase in membership was primarily due to the SIK (Membership Information System) Programme developed by the project, involving software upgrading, training of key people and hardware support. A considerable increase in dues collection was also noted. The phasing-out of the development cooperation work with PGRI was also debated, and a two-year action plan (2018-2019) was submitted by cooperation partners and the EI Asia-Pacific (EIAP) office for PGRI’s consideration.

Shashi Bala Singh and Clemente Rey Dolot attended the event on behalf of EI.

EI Post-Haiyan Rehabilitation Initiative-JNCC Annual Evaluation & Planning Meeting in the Philippines

From 10-11 December, in Antipolo City, the Joint National Coordinating Council (JNCC) of the EI Post-Haiyan Rehabilitation Initiative met. The council has worked tirelessly over the project’s last four years to re-build the lives of the victims/survivors of the Haiyan typhoon which devastated Central Philippines.

The EIAP commended the four participating affiliates (the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, the Federation of Free Workers-Trade Federation VIII, the Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino-National Alliance of Teachers and Office Workers, and the Teachers' Organisation of the Philippine Public Sector) for their outstanding work, supporting and organising their members in the devastated area, together with the community leaders, parents and children. The Filipino EI affiliates committed to continue monitoring the updates and progress in the area of the project even after its closure by December 2017, and union-funded follow-up activities were identified. The EIAP welcomed the strengthening of cooperation and solidarity among competing affiliates, this time working together for a common cause.

Clemente Rey Dolot attended the event on behalf of EI.