......

More commitment to increase the role of women teachers in the trade union
(From the seminar with women trade union local leaders)

As planned, the seminar on women participation in the trade unions, was organised in Tirana on 29, 30 and 31 January 2009.
Women local leaders of both FSASH and SPASH from 18 districts took part in the seminar and were active during the discussions. Chairmen Dobrushi and Kruja took part in the opening session and were active in some issues discussed in the seminar. AOb representative, Claire Oostvriesland, joined the seminar on second and third day and gave a special contribution, making clarifications and confronting experiences regarding topics discussed.
Being by the end of project implementation, this seminar was a combination of evaluation of what we have done in organising special structures, (women committees), increasing women teachers membership and so on, with special training of the participants, especially regarding legislation on gender equality in Albania, role of women committees on professional progress of women teachers, special role of women teachers in child labour prevention and elimination and so on.
Presentations and organisation of the seminar were done by women leaders themselves.
Special role played for preparation and organisation of this seminar, women leaders, Fatbardha Keço, Bukuroshe Shabani, Reihan Shkreta, Lumturi Mataj, Elizabeta Myftari, Zela Koka and so on. In addition, a presentation about legal framework on women in Albania, the situation about the support from the state organs, collaboration with trade unions and other interested institutions, was done by Mrs. Anna Xheka, Head of Directory of Equal Opportunities and Policies in the Ministry of Labour.
Analyzing the actual situation, in the seminar was identified that districts like Tirana, Elbasani, Korca, Durresi, Vlora, Fieri, Shkodra Librazhdi, Skrapari, Kucova have achieved good results in increasing the membership, having also consolidated women committees. Other 16 districts have made evident progress; meanwhile 8 districts are under the process of reorganisation and consolidation. The concrete work done is also reflected in the membership increase from both organisations by 2075 women teachers during last year.
It is also increased the participation of women in the activities organised in the framework of FNV/AOb project implementation. More than 120 women are engaged in concrete activities, as working groups, inquiry and seminars, regarding women participation in the trade unions. In addition, 68 women out of 120 participants, have taken part in the seminars organised on child labour prevention and elimination, 102 women out of 202 participants, have taken part in the Round Tables and other activities organised on social dialogue and providing more services for members, 43 women out of 71 participants have taken part in working groups regarding consolidation of trade union sections and other topics.
After concrete discussions, an action plan was discussed and approved, especially regarding the work to be organised during this year, aiming to attract more women in the trade unions, promoting more women in the leading bodies of both trade unions, further consolidation of women committees, using the negotiations of the new collective agreement and Status of Teachers for improving the situation of women teachers and so on.
Through her interventions and explanations in the seminar, AOb expert, Claire Oostvriesland, insisted on concrete actions to be organised by both trade unions with women, organising not only trade union trainings, but also vocational ones, improving working methods with collective agreement, social dialogue and trade union sections in local level and so on.
Conclusions from the seminar and working plan will be followed for implementation and will be further elaborated during the evaluation conference, which is expected to be organised in May 2009.

....