Education Ministry, basic education union to sign agrement Thursday

Tunis: The Union of Basic Education, under the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), on Tuesday, reached an agreement with the Ministry of Education on several union demands, member of the union Ikbel Azzabi told TAP on Wednesday. The union member told TAP Wednesday the two parties would sign an agreement, Thursday, on respect for trade union rights, which would encourage the resumption of negotiations between the union sections and the regional education commissions, as well as a return to dialogue between the grassroots unions and school principals. The agreement provides for the reinstatement of school principals dismissed for their trade union activities, he said, adding that the two parties had agreed to cancel the circular on the reshuffle of school principals issued a few months ago. He also pointed out that the agreement covers the payment of salaries to teachers who have graduated from educational science institutes and the appointment of substitute teachers by May 15 at the latest, stressing that the Basic Education Union aims to establish relations based on dialogue and partnership with the Ministry of Education. Azabi said the new minister had shown respect for trade union rights during a meeting with a delegation from the union, stressing that this agreement would help to establish new social dialogue relations between the union and the ministry based on respect, sincerity and transparency. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse