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 23 August 2023

    Concerns mount over teacher detentions and threats in Angola

    Education International has expressed grave concerns to Angolan authorities following distressing reports of illegal detentions of teacher unionists and threats against educators. Threats include negative evaluations, terminations, and the exclusion of unionised probationary teachers from employment opportunities. Particularly troubling is a letter from a provincial education director, urging national police...

    Concerns mount over teacher detentions and threats in Angola
  2. News 10 August 2023

    UK: Raising the status and living conditions of Education Support Personnel

    Education International (EI) welcomes success achieved by the National Education Union, an EI member organisation in the UK, getting increased funding for schools to ensure that the pay awards are adequately funded and prevent the need for staffing cuts.

    UK: Raising the status and living conditions of Education Support Personnel
  3. News 17 July 2023

    Tunisia: the government must respect the trade union rights of primary school teachers

    In a letter of protest dated 13 July 2023 addressed to Tunisian Education Minister Ali Mohamed Al Boughdiri, Education International (EI) condemned the salary penalties imposed on teacher trade unionists calling for better funding of education in their country.

    Tunisia: the government must respect the trade union rights of primary school teachers
  4. News 17 July 2023

    Education International’s Executive Board: World Congress, 30 years of mobilising, artificial intelligence in education, addressing the global teacher shortage

    The Education International Executive Board met online on July 6 and July 14. EI’s 9th World Congress held online on July 11 to 13, as well as the organisation’s strategy on the use of artificial intelligence in education, and the launch of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession...

    Education International’s Executive Board: World Congress, 30 years of mobilising, artificial intelligence in education, addressing the global teacher shortage
  5. News 14 July 2023

    Record high level of workers’ rights violations in 2023, Global Rights Index reports

    Nine out of 10 countries violated the right to strike in 2023. 77% of countries excluded workers from establishing or joining trade unions. The 2023 Global Rights Index, launched on 30 June 2023, highlights the injustices faced by workers globally and the status of the countries with the highest violations...

    Record high level of workers’ rights violations in 2023, Global Rights Index reports
  6. News 19 June 2023

    Uganda: Education International condemns the horrific attack on Lhubiriha Secondary school

    Education International, the global federation of educators, strongly condemns the horrific attack on Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe, Uganda and mourns in solidarity with the families and communities impacted by this devastating act of violence.

    Uganda: Education International condemns the horrific attack on Lhubiriha Secondary school
  7. News 8 June 2023

    The voice of teachers rings out at the 111th International Labour Conference

    Education International (EI) is the voice of teachers and education support personnel worldwide. As such, EI advocates for quality education for all, social justice, democracy, and professional rights and freedoms. From 5 to 16 June 2023, an Education International delegation is in Geneva to represent teachers everywhere at the 111th...

    The voice of teachers rings out at the 111th International Labour Conference
  8. News 8 June 2023

    Morocco: Trade unions focus on raising the status of teachers and reforming the education system

    The SNE-CDT (Syndicat National de l’Enseignement-Confédération Démocratique du Travail) has been negotiating for several years with the government to improve the living and working conditions of Moroccan education staff, and to secure a comprehensive reform of the country’s education system, to put an end to the ongoing inequalities in the...

    Morocco: Trade unions focus on raising the status of teachers and reforming the education system
  9. News 2 June 2023

    Korean teachers’ call for quality education, trade union rights, and democracy met with intimidation

    On May 20th, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) held its National Teacher's Congress at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul. The congress celebrated the 34th anniversary of the KTU and challenged the Yoon Seokyeol administration's regressive education policies. The government responded with a search and seizure at the union’s...

    Korean teachers’ call for quality education, trade union rights, and democracy met with intimidation
  10. Statements 17 May 2023

    IDAHOBIT 2023: Everyone belongs in our unions!

    On May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Education International (EI) renews its commitment to human rights, respect, social justice, dignity for all, and solidarity.

    IDAHOBIT 2023: Everyone belongs in our unions!
  11. Publications

    Poised for the Future: Transformative Teaching for Global Engagement, Sustainability, and Digital Access

    A Briefing by Education International for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2023
    10 May 2023

    The 13th edition of the International Summit on the Teaching Profession brought together 22 countries to discuss how to strengthen the teaching profession and ensure all students have access to a quality education.

    Poised for the Future: Transformative Teaching for Global Engagement, Sustainability, and Digital Access
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  12. Statements 30 April 2023

    May Day 2023: Education unions call on governments to Go Public! Fund Education

    To mark May Day, Education International, the global voice of the teaching profession, is calling on governments everywhere to fully fund public education systems, and guarantee labour rights and good working conditions for teachers and education support personnel. Well-resourced, inclusive, and equitable quality public education systems are a prerequisite for...

    May Day 2023: Education unions call on governments to Go Public! Fund Education
  13. News 24 April 2023

    Strengthening education unions, a key priority in Latin America

    Cooperation and solidarity, the Pedagogical Movement and women workers in education and their network. These initiatives to strengthen education unions were debated during the Education International (EI) Development Cooperation Café dedicated to the Latin American region.

    Strengthening education unions, a key priority in Latin America
  14. News 19 April 2023

    Sudan – Education International calls for the protection of students, teachers and education facilities

    Education International strongly advocates for the right to education and condemns any actions that jeopardize this fundamental human right. The ongoing fighting in Sudan has resulted in restricted movement and disrupted access to education, which is crucial for the country's stability and development.

    Sudan – Education International calls for the protection of students, teachers and education facilities
  15. News 11 April 2023

    Eswatini: Education International fully supports education unionists

    Education International (EI) sent a High-Level Mission to Eswatini to reiterate on-site the support of the education union community to colleagues in the country, and to urge the national governmental authorities to put an immediate halt to the persecution of Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) leaders, introduce democratic governance...

    Eswatini: Education International fully supports education unionists
  16. Statements 17 March 2023

    Executive Board Resolution on Eswatini

    The Education International (EI) Executive Board has reaffirmed EI’s unwavering solidarity and support for the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), its leadership and members.

    Executive Board Resolution on Eswatini