A new digital application designed to streamline absence requests for teachers in Martinique is facing criticism from unions who allege it has become a tool for surveillance. The application, ABS1D, launched by the Martinique Academy on February 3, 2026, was intended to simplify administrative procedures for educators requesting time off.
The FSU and FSU Snuipp unions have voiced concerns over the application’s implementation, claiming We see being used to excessively scrutinize teachers’ requests. Alexandra Thaly-Heloïse of FSU-SNUipp stated the organization intends to defend the rights of primary school teachers. While initially welcomed as a potential improvement to transparency and efficiency, the unions now report instances of unjustified denials of leave requests.
The ABS1D platform is a dematerialized system for managing absence requests. According to the Martinique Academy, the application aims to improve the processing of authorizations. However, the unions argue that the system’s current operation is overly restrictive and lacks sufficient justification for rejected requests.
The controversy comes as the Martinique Academy continues to implement digital tools for administrative tasks. A form for requesting authorization for absences, separate from training-related requests, is also available online. The Colibris platform, used for various academic administrative functions, hosts the connection portal for the absence request system.
The FSU-SNUipp has previously published a chart outlining which authorities – either the Inspector of National Education (IEN) or the Director of Academic Services (DASEN) – are authorized to approve different types of leave. The union emphasizes that a day of authorized absence without pay results in a loss of both a day’s salary and a day of general service seniority, which impacts advancement and mobility opportunities for teachers.
