Central and Eastern Europe
Unions in Central and Eastern Europe played a key role in the processes of democratisation. Expectations were high; reality has been different. Unions have had to struggle against the prevailing neo-liberal dogma; for societies based on a rule of law and justice. They have had to cope with the uncharted waters of transition to a market economy against the background of accelerated processes of European integration and globalisation. The major challenges have been and continue to be:
- Struggle for acceptance of unions as genuine social partners;
- Non-payment of wages and pensions;
- Enforcement of rights;
- Unemployment and pauperisation, with growing gap between rich and poor;
- Resultant growth of informal sector, grey economy, and corruption;
- Privatisation gone wild;
- Breakdown in education, health and social security systems.
Making legislative equality into reality All have had to face the challenge of promoting fundamental reforms in society as well as in their own structures against a background of psychological barriers and workers’ apathy, and escalating anti-union policies and practices.
My work focuses specifically on the situation of teachers and their unions in following areas: