Education International stands in solidarity with union leaders targeted in Belarus for their trade union activities and the anti-war stance taken by their organisation, the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 9th Education International Asia-Pacific (EIAP) Regional Conference “Rebuilding the Asia-Pacific: Educators and their unions at the forefront towards a sustainable future” provided education trade unionists in the region and beyond with an extraordinary opportunity to connect, exchange experiences, new perspectives, fresh ideas, and delve deeper into achieving decent working conditions for all education sector employees, quality education for all children as well as sustainable and a just future for all.
Education International firmly condemns attacks on free trade unions by
the authorities of Belarus as part of the long campaign to destroy democratic
forces. On 18 July, the Supreme Court liquidated and dissolved the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) along with its four member organisations, three of which are members of IndustriALL Global Union. In addition, fifteen leaders and union activists are in prison.
Education International has firmly condemned the intimidation of teachers currently taking industrial action led by the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), an organisation affiliated to Education International.
During a mission to Lebanon, Education International expressed solidarity with educators and students who face extreme conditions which deny children their right to education and impact teachers and their unions.