Ei-iE

Peter Marshall / Demotix Images
Peter Marshall / Demotix Images

Trade union rights are human rights

Trade unionists are far too often subject to attacks by repressive governments. Every year, many are subjected to violence, arrest and imprisonment, torture and even murder. Trade union leaders in education are targeted by non-democratic governments who seek total control of education, and deny teachers and education support personnel their rights.

Even in democratic countries, many education workers are denied the right to join unions and/or engage in collective bargaining. Where bargaining exists, limits on its scope can be imposed. Moreover, teachers and education support personnel are denied the right to strike.

Education International also supports the right of students to organise and join the fight for more inclusive and democratic communities.

Working closely with our member organisations, other global unions and human rights networks, we use supervisory mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels to ensure rights and standards are respected and social dialogue is effective.

Solidarity actions among our global membership are a powerful tool to advance rights everywhere.

Our work in this area

  1. News 10 January 2020

    Iran: unions demand transparent investigation into plane crash

    Education unions call for a clarification of the circumstances that led to the crash of Ukraine International Flight 752 outside Tehran, which claimed 176 victims, including professors and students.

    Iran: unions demand transparent investigation into plane crash
  2. News 9 January 2020

    Australia: trade unions mobilise in the national bushfire crisis

    Education International commends the Australian Council of Trade Unions for its prompt reaction to help communities affected by the raging bushfires and its call for donation and/or volunteering.

    Australia: trade unions mobilise in the national bushfire crisis
  3. Worlds of Education 9 December 2019

    “Philippines: On Persecuting Teachers and Weaponizing Education”, by Raymond D. Basilio.

    Raymond D. Basilio

    Teachers and education in the Philippines are under siege. The Duterte government’s worsening attacks on all forms of dissent, disguised as a ‘whole-of-nation approach’ purportedly to end local communist insurgency, is taking its toll on the sector that is universally mandated to espouse and uphold social justice, human rights and...

    “Philippines: On Persecuting Teachers and Weaponizing Education”, by Raymond D. Basilio.
  4. News 2 December 2019

    Increasing number of attacks on academic freedom across the world documented by Scholars at Risks report

    Reacting to the release of Scholars at Risk’s annual report documenting and analysing attacks on higher education communities around the world, Education International firmly denounces attacks on academic freedom and reiterates the need to counter the lack of funds, precarious employment conditions and the privatisation and commercialisation of higher education.

    Increasing number of attacks on academic freedom across the world documented by Scholars at Risks report
  5. Worlds of Education 27 November 2019

    #RatifyC190 "Violence against women: a case study in the French public research", by Dina Bacalexi and Bruno Pouvelle.

    Bruno Pouvelle, Dina Bacalexi

    On 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Gender-based Violence - we called on governments to immediately ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. The Convention is the result of 10 years of mobilisation and activism by the global trade union...

    #RatifyC190 "Violence against women: a case study in the French public research", by Dina Bacalexi and Bruno Pouvelle.
  6. News 25 November 2019

    #RatifyC190: mobilising for a world of work free from violence and harassment

    On 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – global trade unions join forces and call on governments to ratify ILO Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 on violence and harassment in the world of work without delay.

    #RatifyC190: mobilising for a world of work free from violence and harassment
  7. Statements 25 November 2019

    Statement | It’s time to #RatifyC190

    This UN Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, trade unions are calling on governments to act swiftly to ratify ILO Convention 190.

    Statement | It’s time to #RatifyC190
  8. News 22 November 2019

    55th EI Executive Board meeting takes strong positions on education and democracy issues

    Education union leaders tackled a number of strategic issues of key importance for both the global education sector and education unions. In addition, the Board adopted a series of resolutions denouncing violence and attacks on democracy.

    55th EI Executive Board meeting takes strong positions on education and democracy issues
  9. Worlds of Education 22 November 2019

    #CRC30 “Ending corporal punishment in schools – a pathway to protecting the right to education”, by Baguma Filbert Bates.

    Baguma Filbert Bates

    In Uganda, corporal punishment was declared unlawful in schools in March 2016 when the Children’s Act was amended and indeed since 2006, corporal punishment had been discouraged by Ministerial Guidelines. However, it remains a big challenge because in many schools, particularly in the remoter rural areas, it is a deeply...

    #CRC30 “Ending corporal punishment in schools – a pathway to protecting the right to education”, by Baguma Filbert Bates.
  10. News 22 November 2019

    Bolivia: global education union leaders firmly condemn the coup d’état

    Education International’s Executive Board has condemned the situation in Bolivia, stating that it “firmly and unanimously condemns on behalf of its 32 million members the coup d'état that took place last 11 November”.

    Bolivia: global education union leaders firmly condemn the coup d’état
  11. News 22 November 2019

    Chile: educators demand an end to the violence

    During its 55th meeting in Brussels on November 19-21, the Executive Board of Education International (EI) adopted a resolution condemning the violence against peaceful protestors in Chile and demanding respect for students, teachers and civil society.

    Chile: educators demand an end to the violence
  12. News 20 November 2019

    Colombia: National Strike for Life and Peace Unites Society

    On 21 November, trade unions and social organisations called for a major mobilisation in defence of life, peace, public education and the rights of teachers and the Colombian people.

    Colombia: National Strike for Life and Peace Unites Society
  13. News 15 November 2019

    Hong Kong: Educators stand with democracy defenders

    In the face of the on-going violence against protesters and democracy defenders in Hong Kong, Education International (EI) and its members are mobilising to show support for those who defend the values of democracy, justice and liberties.

    Hong Kong: Educators stand with democracy defenders
  14. News 5 November 2019

    How to secure and promote freedom of association? New ILO web application provides a guide for workers

    The new web application launched by the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) gives an overview of the principles and standards for freedom of association and explains ILO procedures and bodies that can help to secure and promote freedom of association across the world.

    How to secure and promote freedom of association? New ILO web application provides a guide for workers
  15. News 31 October 2019

    Zimbabwe: Time’s up- no more delays! Teachers’ unions submit petition on collective bargaining rights to Parliament

    On 24 October, two EI affiliates in Zimbabwe, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) submitted a petition to Parliament, calling on the government to grant full collective bargaining rights to public sector workers.

    Zimbabwe: Time’s up- no more delays! Teachers’ unions submit petition on collective bargaining rights to Parliament
  16. News 30 October 2019

    Iraq: educators join nationwide demonstration

    The Iraqi Teachers’ Union called for a four-day strike starting on 28 October in solidarity with demonstrators urging public authorities to provide jobs, quality public services and to put an end to a political system that has failed them.

    Iraq: educators join nationwide demonstration