The NASUWT supports teacher trade unionism across the globe, giving priority to four nations: Burma, Colombia, Iraq and Zimbabwe.
Over the years, the Union has extended its support to countries where teachers have faced a denial of their working rights and freedoms, particularly teacher trade unionists in Turkey and Bahrain.
Our international work includes our latest campaign. We are appealing the arrest of Jordanian Teachers' Syndicate (JTA) members and the unlawful suspension of all union work by the Jordanian authorities.
The Jordanian security forces arrested leading members of the union, raided its offices and shut it down for a period of two years.
The Prosecutors’ office charged Mr. Nasser Nawasreh, the President of the Jordanian Teachers Syndicate, with incitement over a speech to supporters that criticised the government. Other criminal charges related to allegations of financial and administrative wrongdoing have been filed against the union.
On the same day riot police were deployed to stop peaceful demonstrations initiated by JTA members denouncing the crackdown on trade union rights.
The Jordanian government has been using emergency laws enacted last March at the start of the coronavirus lockdown to limit civil and political rights. Many activists have been arrested for expressing opinions on social media which the authorities have ruled as being inappropriate.
Education International calls on the Jordanian government to unconditionally release the members of JTA and guarantee the fundamental rights of teachers and education workers.
EI also condemns the violation of the fundamental rights and democratic freedoms of teachers and workers as defined by international labour standards and the Jordanian constitution.
Send a letter of protest to the Minister of Education and copy EI
A template is available on the right/below.
We are also calling for the immediate release of Esmail Abdi, fellow teacher and trade union leader, held in Iran's notorious Evin prison, notable for the political wing nicknamed 'Evin University' due to the number of intellectuals held there. Please write to Iran's Head of Judiciary Sadegh Larijani for his release.
More details can be found below.
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International News
The NASUWT supports education trade unions across the globe and continues to promote social justice worldwide.
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International Solidarity Award
NASUWT's annual International Solidarity Award recognises the courage and determination of overseas trade unionists who have risked their lives to defend teachers' rights.
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Brexit
Teachers’ rights in the event of a ‘No-deal’ Brexit
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Bahrain
The NASUWT continues to call for the release of jailed Bahraini teachers whose sole crime was the protection of workers' rights in their country.
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Burma
Despite the release of activist Aung San Suu Kii, teachers in Burma are still struggling in a fledgling democracy.
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Colombia
The NASUWT supports Justice for Colombia in its fight for trade union freedom in the South American nation.
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Iraq
The NASUWT has a long history of supporting trade unions in Iraq during and since the invasion in 2003.
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Turkey
Unsubstantiated charges and proposed amendments to the Turkish Constitution are framing teachers as a threat to the state.
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Zimbabwe
The NASUWT supports the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe where teachers face a raft of problems under the Robert Mugabe regime.
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World Aids Day
Join the world in marking World Aids Day on 1 December.