Unions push for inclusion to meet national and international development commitments

About 900 delegates of the Fiji Teachers Union (FTU), together with representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, the Fiji Trades Union Congress, the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), and the University of the South Pacific’s Staff Association participated in the FTU 87^th Annual Conference on “Education 2030–Through Inclusive and Participatory Approach”, held in Nadi, Fiji.

Participants acknowledged the contribution of the leaders of both the FTU and FTA in developing the trade union movement in Fiji and safeguarding the teachers’ rights and working conditions.

Government promise

While welcoming the national government’s political commitment to the Education 2030 Agenda, the delegates called on Fiji’s public authorities to be more proactive in order to fulfil these global commitments. This could be done by building an inclusive education system, in consultation and partnership with all stakeholders, including teachers’ unions.

They also urged the government to strengthen the mechanisms to institutionalise social dialogue with teachers and their representative organisations, ensuring their full participation in the development and evaluation of the education policy.

A successful caucus of women leaders also took place on the second day of the conference. Women leaders from the FTU branches discussed strategies and plans aiming to facilitate and strengthen their participation in the FTU decision-making body.

[Tue, 30 May 2017 09:00:00 +0000] | DIGG THIS