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 12 December 2016

    Human rights education goes beyond physical and linguistic borders

    On the heels of International Human Rights Day, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ education programme Speak Truth to Power has launched a free online course for Spanish speakers.

    Human rights education goes beyond physical and linguistic borders
  2. News 8 December 2016

    Niger: united teachers demand that government fulfil its promises

    For the first time ever, education trade unions in Niger have called for a national strike to demand the integration of contract teachers into the civil service, and the payment of wage arrears.

    Niger: united teachers demand that government fulfil its promises
  3. News 6 December 2016

    Education, Human Rights, and Tolerance

    To celebrate International Human Rights Day, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen says we must look to the instruments of the United Nations and its agencies that enshrine those rights in international law and culture.

    Education, Human Rights, and Tolerance
  4. News 23 November 2016

    Speak up for Turkish educators now!

    Education International has released an urgent action appeal for Turkey asking for worldwide action and financial solidarity with E?itim-Sen and the education community in this country.

    Speak up for Turkish educators now!
  5. News 23 November 2016

    USA: Education unions and civil society unite to Stop the Hate

    Educators and citizens from all over the USA have signed the Stop the Hate petition, asking that President-elect Donald Trump keep his promise to be the President for all Americans, by speaking clearly and loudly against the hate.

    USA: Education unions and civil society unite to Stop the Hate
  6. News 21 November 2016

    India: Air pollution forces schools to close

    Over 1,800 public primary schools in India’s capital closed on 5 November for the first time ever to protect students from exposure to dangerous levels of air pollution, affecting more than a million children.

    India: Air pollution forces schools to close
  7. News 16 November 2016

    Voyage to international conference becomes an odyssey for Colombian academic

    Miguel Angel Beltrán, a prominent academic invited to deliver a keynote on free speech at Education International’s higher education conference in Ghana had to once again overcome political discrimination in order to reach his destination.

    Voyage to international conference becomes an odyssey for Colombian academic
  8. News 15 November 2016

    Canada: teachers are victorious as bargaining rights acknowledged by Supreme Court

    After a hard-fought and divisive judicial battle, British Columbia’s educators are celebrating a Supreme Court decision that reaffirms collective bargaining rights and opens the door to the hiring of hundreds of teachers.

    Canada: teachers are victorious as bargaining rights acknowledged by Supreme Court
  9. News 2 November 2016

    Ecuador: Brutal persecution of teacher unionists is worsening

    Rosana Palacios, President of the National Union of Educators (UNE), has been threatened with criminal prosecution and prohibited from speaking in the name of her union.

    Ecuador: Brutal persecution of teacher unionists is worsening
  10. Take action! 2 November 2016

    Freedom for Iranian teacher union leader Esmail Abdi

    Education International calls on its members to take action and protest against the six-year jail sentence imposed on Mr. Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association. The sentence was announced on 7 October by Branch 36 of the Appeal Court of Tehran.

    Freedom for Iranian teacher union leader Esmail Abdi
  11. News 2 November 2016

    Iran: global campaign launched to free teacher union leader

    Education International has called on its member organisations to take swift action to firmly protest the unwarranted six-year jail sentence imposed on Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association.

    Iran: global campaign launched to free teacher union leader
  12. News 28 October 2016

    Kenya: a new salary deal for all teachers

    This week concludes with good news for teacher unions in Kenya, as Education International affiliates KNUT and KUPPET signed a historic collective bargaining agreement, which includes a significant salary boost.

    Kenya: a new salary deal for all teachers
  13. News 27 October 2016

    Bombing of Syrian schools sparks outrage within the education community

    Global condemnation has been swift and fierce following the bombings of schools in the cities of Hass and Aleppo, which have left at least 25 children and six teachers dead among scores of injured.

    Bombing of Syrian schools sparks outrage within the education community
  14. News 20 October 2016

    Former member of EI staff receives top USA human rights award

    Education International has warmly welcomed the announcement that the 2016 Edward O’Brien Award for Human Rights Education is awarded to Human Rights Education Associates’ Founder, and former Education International’s research coordinator, Felisa Tibbitts.

    Former member of EI staff receives top USA human rights award
  15. News 13 October 2016

    Nigeria: bittersweet news as 21 kidnapped Chibok girls are released

    Education International (EI) joins with the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education in welcoming the rescue of 21 kidnapped Chibok girls while urging the focus to return to the 200 still missing.

    Nigeria: bittersweet news as 21 kidnapped Chibok girls are released
  16. News 6 October 2016

    The time is now to strengthen global trade unionism

    The Global Labour University invites trade unionists from all over the world to register for its ENGAGE Programme with the aim of strengthening the intellectual and strategic capacity of workers and their organisations.

    The time is now to strengthen global trade unionism
  17. News 3 October 2016

    Germany: teachers’ union calls for inclusive school policies and systems

    The German education union GEW has placed special focus on the relationship between integration and democracy after hosting its national congress under the slogan “One for all – an inclusive school for democracy.”

    Germany: teachers’ union calls for inclusive school policies and systems