Education International Africa condemns the arrest of TTU leaders

Press Statement: Accra, 16 February 2024
 
Education International Africa has learnt with dismay about the intimidation, harassment, and arrest of the General Secretary of Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU), Japhet Maganga, and 9 or more other members of the TTU National Council in Dodoma this morning. 
 
Japhet Maganga and the other union leaders were arrested during a legitimate TTU National Council meeting, protected by the union constitution and the country’s labour laws. 
 
The action taken by the police is a serious violation of international labour standards, in particular, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which guarantee freedom of association, the right to organise and collectively bargain. The Government of Tanzania is a signatory to these Conventions.  
 
Education International Africa strongly condemns the harassment, intimidation, and arrest of Japhet Maganga and other union leaders. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. 
 
The reported decision by the Government of Tanzania to deny Japhet Maganga secondment or Leave Without Pay and ordering him to leave his position of TTU General Secretary and go back to school amounts to interreference in the internal affairs of the union and a clear violation of international labour standards. 
 
In accordance with international labour standards, it is imperative that the Government of Tanzania respects TTU's right to independently elect its leadership and conduct its activities without any form of interference. 
 
Education International is the global union federation, representing more than 32.5 million teachers and education support personnel in 180 countries through 380 member organisations. Tanzania Teachers Union is an affiliate of Education International. 
 
Education International is committed to closely monitor the situation, and if necessary, to report violations of trade union rights in Tanzania to international bodies such as the United Nations, ILO, UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

[Fri, 16 Feb 2024 17:31:00 +0000] | DIGG THIS


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