Page 13

NEWS

‘Shameful’ UK ranking in Global Rights Index

The UK is now rated below dozens of countries including Albania, Angola, Malawi and Bosnia on its track record for trade union and labour rights.

The ITUC Global Rights Index ranks countries across the world on a scale of 1-5, with five being the lowest score, on a range of standards of fundamental rights, including violations of international law, civil liberties, the right to strike, collective bargaining and freedom of association.

The UK ranks 3 in the Index while countries such as Germany, France, Italy, South Africa, Belgium and Denmark rank 1.

The UK’s ranking is an indication of the scale of the attacks the Coalition has mounted on employment and other rights of working people since 2010.

It is now harder to legally sack a worker in India and China than it is in the UK.

Notably, this is one international league table the Coalition Government has failed to publicise.

Sharan Burrow ITUC General Secretary

“When workers enjoy the freedom of a collective voice, can bargain for safe workplaces and fair wages and conditions, and are free from discrimination, then productivity and economic growth can flourish.”

read more www.nasuwt.org.uk/international

Beware of IRIS abuse

Teachers across England and Wales are expressing growing concerns about a relatively new self-development tool which is being purchased by schools.



IRIS is an electronic system used for classroom observation. Teachers are recorded teaching and the teachers then use the recordings to inform development of their professional practice.

The idea behind the system is that it is in the control of the individual teacher, participation is voluntary and the recordings and data are the property of the teacher and can be saved or deleted by the teacher on a password-protected website.

Unfortunately, schools are purchasing the IRIS system at a cost of approximately £13,000, in many cases without any discussion with teachers, and are then introducing it with an expectation that teachers will participate and that senior staff are able to log in to view the recordings.

The NASUWT is warning teachers not to participate in the use of IRIS unless there is a protocol in the school agreed by the NASUWT and which ensures that teachers have full control of the recordings and that access by others is only with the permission of the teacher.



read more www.nasuwt.org.uk/IRIS