2020 News

Though the 21 June 2020 represents the 12 month anniversary of the ILO Convention on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment at Work, the Federal Government is yet to take any steps towards its ratification.  Background Last year, this ground breaking convention was successfully negotiated and adopted overwhelmingly at the International Labour Organisation in Geneva.   The two-year negotiation included ACTU and other world trade unions, ILO member governments and employer [...]

20 June 2020 is World Refugee Day On this day, IEU members call attention to the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution and remind governments that all people seeking asylum are entitled to the full range of human rights and protections. World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees and asylum seekers. It acknowledges the strength and courage of people who have [...]

The COVID 19 pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political and economic systems. The year 2020 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and was intended to be ground breaking for gender equality.  Instead, the spread of COVID -19 pandemic has placed at risk the limited gender equity gains that had been made in the past decades. Pandemics and their resulting economic shocks affect [...]

On 16th May 2020, IEUA will join with the international education community to celebrate the essential role of Education Support Staff Education Support Staff undertake vital and varied roles in our schools, from administrators to librarians and student learning aides. The work of education support staff greatly enhances and supports quality education and has proven to be particularly important during the demanding times caused by  the  COVID 19 pandemic On [...]

The Federal Government’s attempt to use funding arrangements to force non-government schools into transitioning away from remote learning is divisive and destructive wedge-politics. The IEU is deeply disappointed to see education funding yet again being used as a political weapon, particularly at a time when our staff and students need consistency, clarity and support from all levels of government. We call on non-government schools to reject this irresponsible federal government [...]

In correspondence today the IEUA requested  the following assurances and commitments from the Federal Government: • Abstudy funding for all school students be maintained irrespective of modes of education delivery • Schools be eligible as employers to make application for JobKeeper based upon demonstration of a 15% loss of revenue instead of 30% • Arrangements to ensure that all early childhood education providers are supported to ensure their continued viability [...]

The IEUA Federal Executive has today urged school employers and governments to act with concern for and commitment to the health and safety of everyone in our school communities. Our schools and their staff have already acted professionally and capably to ensure that students and their learning are catered for during this crisis. Our members have responded magnificently to the need to ensure schools cater for the children of those [...]

The IEUA’s primary concern is that schools cannot meet either their legislative Work, Health and Safety obligations or their duty of care to both their employees and students. Accordingly, the IEUA calls for an immediate nation-wide end of term for all school students. Read more   IEUA Speaks COVID -19 23 March

Dear Prime Minister RE: COVID-19 In light of the unfolding health crisis and the requirement that schools remain open, the IEUA is requesting the following matters be addressed by the National Cabinet. Our primary concern is that schools cannot meet either their legislative Work, Health and Safety obligations or their duty of care to both their employees and students. In accepting the recommendations of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee [...]

The IEUA believes that it remains a national disgrace that infant mortality rates, life expectancy and key education outcomes for First Nations’ people remain at unacceptable levels. 19th March 2020 is Closing the Gap Day. On this day, IEU members call for action on improving the health, education and employment outcomes for First Nations’ People. 12th Report to Parliament On 12th February 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered the 12th [...]

CAMPAIGNING FOR A SAFER WORKPLACES On International Women’s Day, IEU members call out Workplace Gendered Violence What is Workplace Gendered Violence? Workplace gendered violence is any behaviour, action, system or structure in a workplace that causes physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm to a worker because of their sex, gender, sexual orientation or because they do not adhere to dominant gender stereotypes or socially prescribed gender roles. Gendered violence includes: [...]

GENERATION EQUALITY  On International Women’s Day, IEU members are called to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and campaign for Gender Equality.  International Women’s Day is time to reflect on progress, to call for change and to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future. However, International Women’s Day is not simply an occasion to review how far women [...]