With a message aimed at parents, the National and International Community, the Guatemalan Education Workers’ Union (Steg) LHe evocted the strike that for 79 days kept his affiliates outside the classrooms.
The statement, disseminated in the social networks of the union group, exposes nine points in which it justifies the actions undertaken during the last weeks.
The four -page document begins with a reminder that the State of Guatemala has respected and fulfilled international conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), as well as national laws related to the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining in public and private spheres.
The text indicates that the current government assumed in 2024 with a transparency and fight against corruption speech; However, through what they describe as “a campaign of discredit, manipulation and criminalization”, The minimum and inalienable rights of unions have been violatedlike Steg, presenting them as “political enemies.”
For that reason, they consider contrary to the current collective pact, the union filed complaints and demands both nationally and internationally. According to the statement, This action has had negative effects for the organization, so the opening to social dialogue was required through peaceful manifestations and resistance. In return, ”they affirm – the teaching received“ repression and violation ”of his rights.
The Steg notes that the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) delegitimized and prosecuted collective bargaining; To this is added the involvement of the Ministry of the Interior, which, according to them, “repressed” the organized teaching Eviction the Masters camp around the National Palace of Culture and the blockages made in Puerto Barrios, Izabal, with use of force. It also criticizes the media coverage of the teaching strike.
The statement indicates that the Executive orchestrated, from the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), actions with departmental directors and supervisors who, according to the union, denounced the union – became “executioners” of their colleagues, and formed shock groups at the service of the government’s interests.
One of the points of the document indicates that the STEG sought to approach with the parents to inform them about the situation of the teaching and denounce what you consider an attempt by MINEDUC to indoctrinate students through educational programmatic content that – it affirms – promotes a globalist agenda, contrary to the constitutional right of parental rights.
Therefore, the union raised 21 proposals to be discussed at a national dialogue table, with the aim of addressing the most urgent needs of the educational community. That approach was backed by different political parties and social groupsboth national and international. In addition, it is assured that a delegation from the International Labor Organization (ILO) will visit the country during the first half of August to address the union problems.
Nevertheless, The Steg claims to have received as an indifference response, criminalization and criminal prosecution and administrative against its affiliates.
Steg-ANM 050825 statementhttps://t.co/ybufwi1fla
May the Blessed Trinity guide us and accompany us as always.
Until victory … always companions and colleagues!#Soymaestrosysteg#JOVIELJOVIELTODOSLOSAFILIADOSDELSTEGESTANCONEL pic.twitter.com/xdasqa80ac– Steg (@Steg_ANM) August 5, 2025
“The organized teaching has a long historical memory,” adds the statement, and warns that he will not forget the names of the officials and media that – according to the union – have attacked it “verbally and physically”, which has led to confrontation with the population.
After exposing the reasons for its struggle, the Steg concludes its statement announcing the return to the classrooms, in compliance with the orders of the Constitutional Court (CC), although it emphasizes that its demands and protest actions will continue.
It should be remembered that last July 30, The CC resolved in favor of 10 departmental education directions by revoking amparos requested by the Steg and order the reactivation of disciplinary processes against teachers who were absent from their work.
The Mineduc reacts
Through a statement, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) reported that schools that remained closed will resume classes, which will guarantee the right to student education. He added that, with the support of parents, academic recovery actions will be intensified. In addition, disciplinary processes against teachers who were absent from their work will continue
“This chapter closes and we move on,” said the ministry.
📢 Urgent public schools are open! The right to education is fully re -established. We begin recovery days while we continue the disciplinary processes to whom they left classrooms.#The Education is to confidence 📚🇬🇹 #EblodignoEsPrimero… pic.twitter.com/f7FAZY3LPN
– MINEDUC Guatemala (@mineduucgt) August 5, 2025
The Deputy Minister of Education, Francisco Cabrera, said that support for the strike by the teachers affiliated with the Union of Education Workers of Guatemala (Steg) came to decrease and that, little by little, the schools were returning to normal. Therefore, It was foreseeable that at any time all the establishments will resume work.
He added that, this August 5, it was confirmed that only those establishments affected by the latest earthquakes in the country had not returned to classes; The rest was working normally.
“The return to classes does not mean that judicial disobedience has vanished, as two months passed from the first amparo that ordered them to return and approximately six weeks from the resolution of the Constitutional Court.”
Francisco Cabrera, Deputy Minister of Education
On the other hand, he pointed out that this Wednesday, August 6, a meeting is scheduled with representatives of the STEG to continue with the negotiation of the collective pact of working conditions of the magisterium.