ATL

Supporting trade union organising for education in Cambodia

A delegation of ATL officials visited south east Asia as part of a TUC-funded development project and on returning have secured funding to support the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA).

ATL president Lesley Ward, executive member and international co-ordinator Phil Jacques and international adviser Joseph O'Reilly spent a week in Cambodia working with that country's Independent Teachers Association.

Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Life expectancy is 56 years of age and 80 per cent of the population live on less than $2 a day.

During the Pol Pot era teachers were systematically killed and the education system largely destroyed. There is still a shortage of both schools and teachers and a serious lack of investment in the education sector.

"During the visit we heard from teachers about their appallingly low pay and how in order to feed their families they are forced to look for second jobs," said Lesley Ward. "Poor pay also fuels the practice of unofficial school fees, which is undermining the principle of free, universally available education."

CITA's efforts to improve teacher pay and conditions is inhibited by restrictions on union organising.

"CITA is one of only two truly independent unions in Cambodia and its members routinely face discrimination, harassment and intimidation because of their union activity. Last year CITA's president Rong Chhun spoke about these issues at ATL's conference and it was a real privilege to be able to visit him in Cambodia and see CITA's inspiring work up close," said Ms Ward.

Following the visit, ATL applied for funding to support CITA to build its capacity and secure better pay and conditions for Cambodia's teachers. The application was successful and we have no received £25,000 from the TUC through the funding it receives from the UK Department for International Development.

"ATL is committed to the improvement of the welfare and status of teachers and education employees in developing countries and to the full application of their human rights, trade union rights and professional freedoms. Securing these funds to support CITA is an excellent way of making good on that commitment," concluded ATL international adviser Joseph O'Reilly.