Transcript presentation - Education International

E. I. 1st WORLD WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
AMBASSADOR HOTEL,
BANGKOK THAILAND
January 2011
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Part 1: Traditional Linkages or networks
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Part 2: Community Unionism
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Part 3: Action/ Recommendations
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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To secure better working conditions.
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To improve the economic status of members.
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To improve the standard of living of
members.
To secure organizational stability, growth and
leadership.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Trade Union is within the community
Global
Regional
Local
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
TRADE UNIONS HAVE A RESPONSIBILTY TO
ENSURE THAT COMMUNITIES ARE SUITABLE
FOR MEMBERS WELLBEING AND EFFECTIVE
FUNCTIONING.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
 EDUCATION
 ECONOMIC
 POLTICAL
 HEALTH
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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All women (girls included) must acquire
knowledge, skills, values and aptitude.
School environment must be conducive to
facilitate women’s success and achievement.
School programme must enable girls to
complete their education /schooling.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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St Lucia has universal secondary education
from 2006
SLTU worked with the Ministry of Education to
ensure that all secondary schools have
counselors to enable students to succeed and
achieve career goals
To date there are no barriers which prevent
pregnant and young mothers from returning
to school.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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School drop out rate: ( Over 200 students;
46% females)
Curriculum tailored to meet the needs for all
students especially girls.
Literacy ability of secondary graduates
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Trade unions must:
 Use the collective power of all members.
 Negotiate better and higher wages for
workers to sustain their livelihood.
 Secure better working conditions.
 Ensure health and safety at the plant.
 Secure social welfare of members.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Ensures that teachers irrespective of gender
receive equal pay base on qualification.
Ensures that promotion and mobility
practices are adhere to.
Monitors to ensure that women who qualify
are recruited to leadership positions esp.
principals and vice principals.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Pregnant unmarried teachers are no longer
suspended or fired (January 16, 1995) NB:
Girard vs the Attorney General-unmarried,
pregnant teachers being dismissed after a
second pregnancy,
Maternity benefits are guaranteed to all
teachers including 13 weeks maternity leave
with pay, and return to post afterwards.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Global economic crisis: SLTU fought the
government’s decision to withhold negotiated
increase in salary because of the global
meltdown.
Disaster: Hurricane Tomas devastated St
Lucia on October 30, 2010. SLTU assisted in
members with humanitarian aid. Assistance
was needed to help teachers maintain their
self dignity and reliance.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
“Without progress in the situation of women,
there can be no true social development.
Human rights are not worthy of the name if
they exclude the female half of humanity. The
struggle for women’s equality is part of the
struggle for a better world for all human
beings, and all societies.”
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Women must:
 rise to positions of power, influence and
leadership.
 occupy leadership positions to chart the
course of the union and themselves, as well
as influence change.
 Influence sound decision making.
 Use our political voice.
 Vote to influence the process.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Empowerment
Autonomy
Participation
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Teaching profession: (Over 2000 teachers
with 80% females)
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SLTU Executive: 1 out of 7
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SLTU General Council: 33%
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Formation and presence of committee
depends largely on the executive
Constitution does not make explicit
provisions for the setting of women’s
committees.
Does not have any specific position on
women’s rights.
Does not conduct research on women’s
issues.
Does not network with other unions or NGOs
on women’s rights.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Women in school leadership position
 Principals (secondary schools): 14 out of 24
(58%) (significant increase)
 Principals (primary schools): 67 out 79 (85%)
 Private primary & secondary: 7 out of 8 (88%)
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Access is available to such position of power
and influence.
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SLTU is represented on all interview panels
for the post of principals of public schools.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Ensures leadership that inspires, motivates
and empowers.
Prepares women for leadership positions and
roles.
Focus on: leadership training, capacity
building, research, lobbying,.
Advocate for advancement of women
Is there need for a quota system or reserve
place???
Address factors which hinder women for
vying for leadership positions in the union.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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The health of teachers especially females
impact on the quality of their teaching.
A number of factors impact on women’s
health: stress, reproductive capabilities, work
related conditions, etc.
For SLTU, a number of female have serious
health conditions
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Developed and adopted an HIV & AIDS
workplace policy.
At the forefront of the awareness drive to
sensitize and mobilize teachers especially
through the EFAIDS programme.
Conducted workshop and training for
executive, general council, shop stewards and
schools.
Health workshops especially for female
teachers.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
CONNOTATION
 Ways trade unions work with communities
and community group.
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Unions seeking to reach out to the
community.
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Sustain alliance beyond the walls of the
workplace.
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Coalition between unions and communities.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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Support on union issue: the union seeks
support from the community on a union issue
e.g. 2010 SLTU mobilized the entire country
to participate in a strike for a 7.5% salary
increase; 2004 the re-opening of school and
extension of the school year.
Common specific issue: networking with
groups for the implementation of the labour
code, privatization of water.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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How can unions use community unionism to
address women’s issues?
How can the entire community see the world
through “women’s eyes”?
Actions to increase women’s participation in
decision making including politics?
Speak out on violence and abuse, discrimination?
Lobby to change the image of women in the
media?
Lobby religious denominations to change
attitude on laws that disadvantage women?
Action to strengthen family units in order to
improve the quality of life?
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
Advocacy &
Training
Research
UNION
Publicity
Policy
Development
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
In linking with communities, trade unions need
 Collaborate
 Consult
 Exchange information.
 Women must be empowered to increase our
strength, capability, freedoms in order to
fulfill our goals.
 The unions must play a pivotal role.
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
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“A woman who is convince that she deserves
to accept only the best, challenges herself to
give the best.”
Maya Angelou
MERCI
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GRACIOUS
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Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.
EXAMIN PHILBERT
 Personal: [email protected]
 Tel: 1-758-454-5036 (H)
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1-758-455-4327 (Sch.)
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1-758-452-4469 (SLTU)
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Fax: 1-758-455-4328 (Sch.)
1-758-453-6668 (SLTU)
Examin Philbert SLTU/CUT-Bangkok, 2011.