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 9 December 2015

    Education International affiliates celebrate Human Rights Day with Nobel Prize

    The importance of trade unions in achieving human rights is evident for all to see today as the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to the Tunisian National Quartet, which includes five Education International affiliates.

    Education International affiliates celebrate Human Rights Day with Nobel Prize
  2. News 30 November 2015

    South Korean trade unions mobilise against government attacks

    Trade unions from across the country are banding together in a call for peaceful mass demonstrations after the government cracked down on a labour law protest rally in November, resulting in major arrests and injuries.

    South Korean trade unions mobilise against government attacks
  3. News 23 November 2015

    Belgium: Schools remain closed amidst security threats

    Schools and daycare centres in Belgium's capital Brussels remained closed today, as the federal government upheld the highest security threat level in the city.

    Belgium: Schools remain closed amidst security threats
  4. News 19 November 2015

    Education unions increase efforts to release imprisoned Colombian Academic

    Education International has joined education unions’ calls for the immediate release of Colombian academic Dr Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas, who remains detained in Bogotá since his arrest on 31 July of this year.

    Education unions increase efforts to release imprisoned Colombian Academic
  5. News 18 November 2015

    EI Executive Board remembers slain Colombian teacher union leader

    The assassination of Marcelis Mendes, the President of Coveñas regional subdivision of the Colombian Teachers Federation, was forcefully condemned by Education International’s Executive Board in Brussels.

    EI Executive Board remembers slain Colombian teacher union leader
  6. News 18 November 2015

    Global education union leaders stand in solidarity with Quebecois colleagues

    The Education International’s Executive Board has adopted a clear and strong message of solidarity in support of its colleagues in Quebec demanding better quality public services in the Canadian province.

    Global education union leaders stand in solidarity with Quebecois colleagues
  7. News 18 November 2015

    The ILO demands that Ecuador respect public workers’ human and trade union rights

    The Ecuadorian government must initiate immediate consultations with teachers and public servants unions to ensure that new laws respect freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, urges the International Labour Organisation.

    The ILO demands that Ecuador respect public workers’ human and trade union rights
  8. News 16 November 2015

    Brussels: EI Executive Board issues statement on terrorist attacks

    The EI executive board stands in solidarity with all education unions who work on the frontlines every day in countries where the threat and the reality of violence are ever present.

    Brussels: EI Executive Board issues statement on terrorist attacks
  9. News 30 October 2015

    Nigerian army frees 192 abducted children from Boko Haram

    Three hundred eight people, including 192 children, have been rescued by the Nigerian army during a raid targeting terrorist group Boko Haram, though none of the 219 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls are among those freed.

    Nigerian army frees 192 abducted children from Boko Haram
  10. News 28 October 2015

    Burundi: teachers’ perilous working conditions to be addressed

    Amid political and social unrest, Burundi’s teachers’ union is working closely with Education International to both counter the government’s harassment of teachers as well as enhance the safety of their working conditions.

    Burundi: teachers’ perilous working conditions to be addressed
  11. News 22 October 2015

    Swedish teacher and student are killed in school sword attack

    A teacher and a student have been killed and at least two others are reported injured after a man wielding a sword carried out an attack in a school cafe in south-west Sweden.

    Swedish teacher and student are killed in school sword attack
  12. News 21 October 2015

    Nigeria remembers killed and displaced teachers

    Nigerian teachers know all too well how dangerous their work has become, which is why their union used World Teachers’ Day to remember the 600 killed and 19,000 displaced among their ranks.

    Nigeria remembers killed and displaced teachers
  13. News 19 October 2015

    Bahrain: union president in need of urgent medical help

    Mahdi Abu Dheeb, president of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association, is said to be in poor health and is being refused medical treatment as he continues to serve a five year prison sentence.

    Bahrain: union president in need of urgent medical help
  14. News 13 October 2015

    Plight of missing Yemeni teacher unknown as efforts to secure his release continue

    Education International has brought its full support to Hilal Akrout, a teacher unionist, as well as all education workers arbitrarily detained in Yemen, and demands respect for the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people of Yemen.

    Plight of missing Yemeni teacher unknown as efforts to secure his release continue
  15. News 8 October 2015

    Iran: intensified pressure on teacher unionists

    Fourteen teacher unionists have been detained in a Tehran detention centre for a couple of hours on 7 October for scheduling a peaceful protest, and threatened to be arrested again if participating in the protest planned for 8 October.

    Iran: intensified pressure on teacher unionists