The Situation of Teachers in Ukraine
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.
See also, the situation of teachers in: