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 22 June 2011

    Unions in Motion – film festival focuses on rights

    The international Trade Union Film Festival – ’Unions in Motion’ – has shown a variety of short and feature films, related to trade union activity and the fight back against austerity cuts, at Landschaftspark Nord, in Duisburg, Germany.

    Unions in Motion – film festival focuses on rights
  2. News 17 June 2011

    ILO adopts Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers

    EI and the Global March Against Child Labour have welcomed the adoption by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of the Convention for protection of domestic workers, accompanied by a set of Recommendations at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

    ILO adopts Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers
  3. News 16 June 2011

    Colombia: Political prisoner Miguel Beltran absolved of all charges

    EI is delighted to report that Dr. Miguel Angel Beltran has been released from a Colombian prison after being absolved of the charges of ‘rebellion’ and ‘criminal conspiracy for terrorist purposes’.

    Colombia: Political prisoner Miguel Beltran absolved of all charges
  4. News 16 June 2011

    Georgia: Workers’ rights deteriorate as government fails to honour agreements

    Trade unionists have met to discuss the deteriorating situation of workers’ rights in Georgia. Workers are being pressed to work in unhealthy and dangerous environments, trade union activists are being dismissed, and trade union leaders are being harassed and threatened. The existence of the entire independent trade union organisations is...

    Georgia: Workers’ rights deteriorate as government fails to honour agreements
  5. News 10 June 2011

    Swaziland: Teachers demand freeze of King’s assets

    Almost 3,000 teachers in Swaziland have marched to the South African and US embassies to insist on an international asset freeze against the country’s absolute ruler, King Mswati III, alleging corruption and mismanagement of national resources.

    Swaziland: Teachers demand freeze of King’s assets
  6. News 9 June 2011

    EI demands the urgent application of core labour standards

    “In many countries, core labour standards are far from fully applied for the teaching profession” EI’s representative told the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

    EI demands the urgent application of core labour standards
  7. News 27 May 2011

    Trade unions protest against anti-union crackdown in Bahrain

    A delegation of international, European and Belgian trade unions, including Education International (EI), delivered a letter of protest to the Bahrain Embassy in Brussels on 26 May to condemn the on-going attacks on the trade unionists in Bahrain. Embassy officials refused to give an audience to the delegation led by...

    Trade unions protest against anti-union crackdown in Bahrain
  8. News 18 May 2011

    Crucial role of Teacher Unions’ voices in HIV/AIDS prevention worldwide

    The EI EFAIDS Closing Conference, held in Brussels on 16-17 May, came to an end with the session "On the path to 2015." Affiliates and partner organisations representatives from far and wide reflected on lessons learned as well as on teacher unions’ role and sustainability within Education for All (EFA)...

    Crucial role of Teacher Unions’ voices in HIV/AIDS prevention worldwide
  9. News 16 May 2011

    Iraq withdraws recognition of trade unions

    Education International (EI) has condemned the recent interference of the Iraqi government in the internal affairs of the Iraqi trade unions.

    Iraq withdraws recognition of trade unions
  10. News 16 May 2011

    Teacher unions look forward to building on successful EFAIDS programme

    Education International (EI) brought together affiliates and representatives of partner organisations, which were involved in the EFAIDS programme, for the Closing Conference of the project, on 16-17 May in Brussels. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the right to education for each child, and, as a consequence, their continued...

    Teacher unions look forward to building on successful EFAIDS programme
  11. News 12 May 2011

    Yemen: 20 teachers killed since protests began

    EI affiliate member, the Yemeni Teachers’ Syndicate (YTS) has denounced the serious escalation in violence against teacher trade unionists in the country as protests grow against the 32-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

    Yemen: 20 teachers killed since protests began
  12. News 10 May 2011

    Georgia: Worst European country for human and trade union rights

    Fifty trade union organisations and NGOs’ representatives from all over Europe, will come together on 6 June in Brussels, Belgium, deploring that Georgia is rapidly becoming the Europe’s black sheep concerning workers’ rights.

    Georgia: Worst European country for human and trade union rights
  13. News 5 May 2011

    UAE cracks down on teacher association

    EI has condemned the brutal takeover of the Teachers’ Association in the United Arab Emirates, a prominent civil society organisation calling for greater democracy in the country.

    UAE cracks down on teacher association
  14. News 21 April 2011

    UK: Unionists back Zimbabwe Vigil

    The UK Trades Union Congress (TUC) has supported the lunchtime Vigil organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, UK.

    UK: Unionists back Zimbabwe Vigil
  15. News 19 April 2011

    Mauritania: teachers urge government to negotiate

    EI’s Mauritanian affiliate Syndicat National de l’Enseignement Secondaire (SNES) has joined forces with Syndicat Indépendant des Professeurs de l'Enseignement Secondaire (SIPES) to call for a three-day strike from 8-10 May in order to bring the Government of Mauritania to the negotiation table.

    Mauritania: teachers urge government to negotiate
  16. News 19 April 2011

    Students return to Brazil school where gunman shot 12

    Students have returned to the school in Brazil where a gunman killed 12 children on 7 April. Those killed were between 10 and 13 years old, and all but two were girls.

    Students return to Brazil school where gunman shot 12
  17. News 19 April 2011

    UK teachers awarded millions in compensation

    The NASUWT, one of the largest teacher unions in the UK, has secured millions of pounds in compensation for its members who suffered accidents, assaults and injuries suffered on school grounds in 2010.

    UK teachers awarded millions in compensation