Start date: 01/10/2018
End date: 30/06/2019
Project Categories:
Communication
Education for All
Human and Trade Union Rights
Organizing, recruiting
Social dialogue
Status of Teachers
Union unity
Description:
Continued support to education unions in Botswana and Zimbabwe to strengthen the capacity of the unions to engage in advocacy on labour law reform with the government and Parliament so as to improve freedom of association and social dialogue for teachers as public employees. The project also aims to strengthen the capacity of EI affiliates to work together and in alliance with other unions and civil society organisations in their national context.
EI has engaged with its affiliates in Southern Africa for a number of years with the aim of strengthening the application of international labour standards, with particular reference to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Unions in Botswana and Zimbabwe have developed joint national action plans including two main elements: a) joint advocacy actions at national level directed at the Parliament and Government concerning labour law reforms; b) advocacy using radio and social media to raise awareness among parents, students and the wider community about the links between respect for trade union rights and social dialogue, and the achievement of quality public education.
Goals:
The EI affiliates in Botswana (led by BOSETU and BTU) will engage with the labour law review committee with the aim of moving agreed reforms through a tripartite consultation process to the November 2018 session of Parliament. The unions will keep their membership and wider public informed of progress concerning the conclusions of the 2018 ILO CAS and the debates in Parliament. At the same time, the unions will campaign for their successful passage through Parliament and implementation in practice. The unions will also, through Education International and the ITUC, keep the ILO supervisory mechanisms informed of progress.
The four EI affiliates in Zimbabwe (led by ZIMTA and PTUZ) will seek to strengthen the collective bargaining machinery by ensuring the establishment of sectoral bargaining chambers. They will keep union members, the teaching profession and wider public informed of progress with the Public Service Act amendments; and their passage through Parliament and implementation in practice.
Activities:
- Capacity building of union members
- National meeting
- Audiences with Members of Parliament and influential actors.
- Press conferences
- Rally or other publicity event
Results:
Expected Results
- Members of EI affiliates in both countries, and members of civil society organisations and the general public, are aware of the need for the government to carry out labour law reforms in line with the ILO CAS and CEART recommendations;
- EI affiliates in both countries have carried out advocacy with the government and legislature to press for labour reforms in line with the ILO CAS and CEART recommendations.
- EI affiliates in both countries have strengthened their cross-union collaboration and their advocacy and communication skills.
- World Teachers’ Day events in 2018 in both countries have been used to focus on the link between quality public education and the right to collective bargaining.
- Key decision-makers in government and Parliament are well-informed and advocating for labour law reforms in line with ILO CAS and CEART recommendations.
Contact:
Dominique Marlet (EI)
Funding:
ILO-ACTRAV
