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 11 March 2019

    Burkina Faso: Unions call for stronger, sustained governmental measures to protect students and teachers from terrorist attacks

    Although they welcome the governmental measures taken following the terrorist attacks against teachers and schools in Burkina Faso, teacher trade unionists call on the public authorities to strengthen and improve these measures so as to be able to provide quality education under safe conditions.

    Burkina Faso: Unions call for stronger, sustained governmental measures to protect students and teachers from terrorist attacks
  2. Worlds of Education 8 March 2019

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices: “The Political Participation of Women and Their Prominent Role in Brazil’s Trade Union Movement”, by Fátima da Silva.

    Fátima da Silva

    Until recently, women in Latin America had achieved unprecedented levels of political participation with the election of women presidents in several countries in the region. Dilma Rousseff (2011–2016), Cristina Kirchner (2007–2015) and Michelle Bachelet (2006–2010 and 2014–2018) all served two terms as elected presidents in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, respectively....

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices: “The Political Participation of Women and Their Prominent Role in Brazil’s Trade Union Movement”, by Fátima da Silva.
  3. News 6 March 2019

    Education unions join in solidarity with Turkish teachers

    Education trade unionists from around the world meet in Ankara on 6 and 7 March for the “Education Trade Unions, Rights, Freedoms and Governments International Symposium”, in solidarity with embattled Turkish education unionists struggling for the respect of their rights, their profession and for education as a whole.

    Education unions join in solidarity with Turkish teachers
  4. Worlds of Education 6 March 2019

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices : “It All Starts With Good Teachers: Women’s Leadership in Education & in Unions”, by Johanna Jaara Åstrand

    Johanna Jaara Åstrand

    When I first joined the union, what attracted me was not so much the suggestion that the union was there to protect me if something should happen to me in my professional life. My motivation was more that the union was a place where I could make things happen together...

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices : “It All Starts With Good Teachers: Women’s Leadership in Education & in Unions”, by Johanna Jaara Åstrand
  5. Worlds of Education 4 March 2019

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices: "The Role of Education in South Africa’s Struggle Against Gender Based Violence", by Dorcus Sekabate

    Dorcus Sekabate

    The late world renowned South African statesman and first democratically elected President Nelson Mandela once said; “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. As an educator, these words have been a driving inspiration for my overall outlook on the profession and on what...

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices: "The Role of Education in South Africa’s Struggle Against Gender Based Violence", by Dorcus Sekabate
  6. News 1 March 2019

    Australia: education union and activists will make the 2019 federal election the ‘education election’

    At their Federal conference, Australian Education Union’ leaders and activists welcomed the commitment made by the Labour party to greatly increase funding for public education, and reaffirmed their determination to ensure that the upcoming federal election focus on education issues.

    Australia: education union and activists will make the 2019 federal election the ‘education election’
  7. Worlds of Education 28 February 2019

    "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Student mobilisation on climate change is a strong call on democracy to deliver for the planet. It is a rejection of “climate deniers”, but also of “business as usual.” Its ultimate success will depend on expanding the mobilisation while graduating from protest to politics, including by linking lower carbon emissions...

    "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards
  8. News 28 February 2019

    Haiti: trade union front for quality public education, social dialogue and a statute for teachers in the private sector

    Despite many obstacles, Education International’s Haitian affiliates are jointly campaigning for quality public education and the establishment of a dialogue with the Minister of Education. They are also supporting a statute for teachers in the private sector.

    Haiti: trade union front for quality public education, social dialogue and a statute for teachers in the private sector
  9. News 22 February 2019

    Philippines: International solidarity against teacher harassment

    An international delegation has joined the education union ACT to express its solidarity with teacher unionists, profiled and harassed by the government in contravention of commonly agreed human rights.

    Philippines: International solidarity against teacher harassment
  10. News 21 February 2019

    Iran: Free teacher unionist detained in Kurdistan province!

    Education International has sent a protest letter to the government of Iran deploring the arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention of Mokhtar Asadi, teacher and member of the Iranian Teacher Trade Association in the province of Kurdistan.

    Iran: Free teacher unionist detained in Kurdistan province!
  11. Worlds of Education 19 February 2019

    “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.

    Yoshiko Norimatsu

    The Japan Teachers’ Union contributes to achieving gender-related rights through its programmes and policies focused on the rights of female educators. A recent JTU research, for example, has shown how terms of employment are interlinked with reproductive health and childcare challenges.

    “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.
  12. News 13 February 2019

    Haiti endorses the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the endorsement by Haiti of the Safe Schools Declaration, committing itself to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of violent conflict.

    Haiti endorses the Safe Schools Declaration