Ei-iE

Time is running out on WTO trade talks after ministers gathering in Geneva at the end of June failed to reach a crucial agreement on tariff and subsidy reductions for agricultural and industrial goods.

In a letter sent to the government of Mexico on 29 June, EI condemns the use of any form of violence against striking teachers. The message is sent in the light of the police's forceful eviction of strikers on 14 June.

EI affiliate the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), and the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) is postponing the strike due to be held today, until further notice.

EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen expressed satisfaction over the decision of the UN Human Rights Council to adopt the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “The Declaration will strengthen the international human rights system and will promote mutual respect between indigenous peoples and states”, he said.

In response to EI's letter dated 19 June, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), sent a formal statement by their President Joseph Blatter condemning the trafficking of women and young girls into forced prostitution during the World Cup.

EI put the case for a new approach to public higher education and research at a high-profile meeting of Education Ministers from 35 countries, convened by the OECD in Athens, Greece, this week (27-28 June).

EI issued a letter dated 27 June to the State Minister of Guinea, Fodé Bangoura, condemning the death threat made to SLECG General Secretary, Louis Mbemba Soumah, nor the minister's vow on 12 June to "crush trade unionists".

EI and its member organisations around the world strongly support Nikkyoso, the Japan Teachers' Union, in its call for the withdrawal of a proposal by the present government to amend the "Fundamental Law of Education" (FLE).

Members of EI affiliate the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) will join the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) in a nationwide strike on Monday 3rd July.

EI is very concerned with reported security forces repression of the social movement led by teachers in Oaxaca. EI is encouraging the Mexican authorities to dialogue, not to repress.

Education International has written to the Polish minister of national education, Roman Giertych, following the dismissal of Miroslaw Sielatycki, Director of the National In-Service Teacher Training Center (CODN).

In a letter addressed to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on 19 June, EI expressed its concern about the trafficking of women and girls into Germany who are being exploited in the sex industry for the World Cup season.

EI affiliate the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) have elected Mr. CHO Heung-Soon, their current Chief Director of Organisation Division, as new Secretary General following the end of term in office of former secretary general, Mr. Son In-Sik.

EI attended the proceedings of the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards, at the 95th International Labour Conference of the ILO.

EI has been informed of the release on 9 June of Mulunesh Abebayehu Teklewold, a 53-year old female teacher. She was arrested in the Kelemworke junior secondary school in Addis and brought to the Kality prison on 9 November 2005.

The Kenyan Government has finally agreed to meet teachers for discussions over the implementation of salary increases after vigorous campaigning by EI affiliate the KNUT.

Salary arrears and the lack of progress in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement have driven EI affiliate the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) to strike indefinitely. An ultimatum presented to President John Kufuor’s government says if demands are not met by next week, teachers in higher institutions will...

EI has requested ILO to set international standards for the recruitment of teachers. In his address to the annual ILO Conference in Geneva, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen said that industrialized countries should not try to remedy teacher shortages by poaching teachers from low-income countries. Van Leeuwen recommended that...