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 14 June 2012

    Swaziland: SNAT on strike against wage cuts

    The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) called for a two-day strike action on 13 and 14 June to protest at the Swazi Government’s intention to reduce the wages of public employees.

    Swaziland: SNAT on strike against wage cuts
  2. News 13 June 2012

    Canada: education union supports bill tackling cyberbullying

    The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), one of EI’s national affiliates, has voiced its support for Bill C-273, an act that will reclassify cyberbullying as an offence.

    Canada: education union supports bill tackling cyberbullying
  3. News 8 June 2012

    EI’s General Secretary addresses the Plenary of the 101st International Labour Conference

    Fred van Leeuwen highlighted the crucial role of the trade union movement as “a cornerstone of any democratic system”, especially at a time when the global economic crisis is being used as a pretext for restricting the rights of workers in many countries worldwide.

    EI’s General Secretary addresses the Plenary of the 101st International Labour Conference
  4. News 5 June 2012

    ILO Conference: EI outraged at employers attack on ILO system

    The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) has impeded the discussion of some of the worst cases of workers’ rights violations at the annual International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference, held in Geneva from 30 May-15 June.

    ILO Conference: EI outraged at employers attack on ILO system
  5. News 31 May 2012

    ILO Conference: Visa denied to EI Executive Board member

    Senen Niño Avendaño, President of the Federación Colombiana de Educadores (FECODE) and a member of the EI Executive Board, together with two other leaders of the Colombian teachers’ union, has been refused an entry visa to Switzerland where they were to participate in the Conference of the International Labour Organisation...

    ILO Conference: Visa denied to EI Executive Board member
  6. News 4 May 2012

    Together preventing third-party violence in schools

    Participants shared good practices at a seminar on how to prevent and mitigate third-party violence in schools. The seminar, organised by EI's European Region, ETUCE, was attended by representatives from both teacher unions and education employers on 26 April in Warsaw, Poland.

    Together preventing third-party violence in schools
  7. News 4 May 2012

    Bahrain: BTA court case postponed for fourth time to 30 May

    EI has learned that the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court has adjourned the case of Mahdi Issa Abu Dheeb and Jalila Al-Salman, from the Bahraini Teachers Association (BTA), to 30 May, and refused to release Mahdi on bail once more. Both were arrested after a crackdown by authorities following pro-democracy demonstrations.

    Bahrain: BTA court case postponed for fourth time to 30 May
  8. News 26 April 2012

    EI pleads with Bahraini government officials to respect human and trade union rights

    In a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Labour, Jameel Humaidan, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen has requested that the dissolution of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) in 2011 be lifted and that its leaders be released...

    EI pleads with Bahraini government officials to respect human and trade union rights
  9. News 24 April 2012

    Join the “Stand 4 Change” Day against bullying on 4 May!

    Consistent with its policy that schools must be safe and secure and education should advance human rights principles by promoting inclusiveness, EI has joined major anti-bullying campaigners in the US to create awareness in schools and communities about bullying and harassment prevention.

    Join the “Stand 4 Change” Day against bullying on 4 May!
  10. News 19 April 2012

    Ivory Coast: teachers' role in reconciliation and reconstruction

    At its 22nd congress held in Yamoussoukro between 1-4 April, the Syndicat National de l’Enseignement Secondaire de Côte D’Ivoire (SYNESCI) elected a new executive board. It also emphasised the crucial role of educators in national reconciliation and reconstruction.

    Ivory Coast: teachers' role in reconciliation and reconstruction
  11. News 11 April 2012

    Botswana: teachers sue government for denying vacations to teachers

    The Botswana Teachers’ Union (BTU), one of EI’s national affiliates, is suing the Ministry of Education (MoE) for denying vacations to teachers’ when schools closed on 30 March. Shortly before schools closed, the MoE wrote to public school educators, notifying them to continue “with their normal duties” after pupils had...

    Botswana: teachers sue government for denying vacations to teachers
  12. News 4 April 2012

    Benin: Violation of education unions’ and members’ rights must cease

    The General Secretary of EI, Fred van Leeuwen, sent a letter of protest to the President of Benin, denouncing “the way in which the government of Benin has been disregarding trade unions and their members rights for some months now.” He also sent a letter of support directly from EI...

    Benin: Violation of education unions’ and members’ rights must cease
  13. News 3 April 2012

    Iran: Abdolreza Ghanbari still facing execution

    Despite huge international mobilization against his proposed execution, the life of Abdolreza Ghanbari is still at risk. The Iranian authorities could proceed with his execution at any time.

    Iran: Abdolreza Ghanbari still facing execution
  14. News 2 April 2012

    Syria: Conflict takes a heavy toll on education

    The continuing conflict in Syria is taking a heavy toll on education, as thousands of Syrian families take their children out of school and flee across the border to seek refuge.

    Syria: Conflict takes a heavy toll on education
  15. News 30 March 2012

    Bahrain: Decision on Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s release deferred

    Following Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s appeal hearing on 2 April, EI has learned that a decision about the release of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) President has been postponed to 2 May.

    Bahrain: Decision on Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s release deferred