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. 24 March 2011

    Unions commit to HIV activism to ensure quality education in West Africa

    Challenges to secure quality education in the West African countries of Senegal and Mali include overcrowded classes, over-stretched teachers and under-resourced schools. The impact of HIV and AIDS is another factor with the potential to complicate access and provision of education.

    Unions commit to HIV activism to ensure quality education in West Africa
  2. News 17 March 2011

    Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates

    EI has condemned the suspension of higher education in Bahrain as the brutal repression of pro-democracy protesters demanding political reforms within the kingdom continues.

    Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates
  3. News 17 March 2011

    South Africa: Government must endorse UN policy on human rights

    EI and its national affiliates, SADTU, NAPTO, and SAOU, are urging the Government of South African to sign up to the joint statement on ending violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

    South Africa: Government must endorse UN policy on human rights
  4. News 10 March 2011

    USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights

    Republicans in the Wisconsin state senate have approved a regressive plan to strip public-sector and teacher trade unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.

    USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights
  5. News 3 March 2011

    Cyprus: teacher unions urge Turkey to end political and economic pressure

    Cyprus: Union urges Turkey to end political and economic pressure EI affiliate, the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), has joined other national unions to denounce the impact of AKP policies on education workers in the country.

    Cyprus: teacher unions urge Turkey to end political and economic pressure
  6. News 1 March 2011

    EI combats attacks on teachers' union rights

    The threat from the hard-line Republican Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker to remove teachers’ collective bargaining rights, as well as health and pension benefits, has brought thousands of pro-union activists onto US streets.

    EI combats attacks on teachers' union rights
  7. News 1 March 2011

    Pakistan: Striking teachers win negotiations for better conditions

    More than 7,000 Pakistani teachers have called off their indefinite strike after the Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, issued a special directive in relation to upgrading teachers’ conditions bringing uniformity to pay scales within the education system.

    Pakistan: Striking teachers win negotiations for better conditions
  8. News 25 February 2011

    Greece: Teacher unions join forces to fight neo-liberal policies

    The Greek Federation of Secondary Education School Teachers (OLME) and the Primary Education Teachers’ Federation (DOE) are protesting against austerity measures which are damaging education by holding a 48-hour strike.

    Greece: Teacher unions join forces to fight neo-liberal policies
  9. News 25 February 2011

    A season of change in the Arab world

    The speed of political and social change in the Middle East and North Africa has astounded the international community.

    A season of change in the Arab world
  10. News 24 February 2011

    Historian of education defends teachers’ right to organise

    Eminent academic Diane Ravitch has delivered a stinging rebuke of Wisconsin's Governor, Scott Walker, and his efforts to reduce pay of teachers and public sector workers, while restricting their collective bargaining and union rights.

    Historian of education defends teachers’ right to organise
  11. News 22 February 2011

    EI launches new teachers’ guide to healthy living and learning

    EI has worked with the Education Development Center and World Health Organisation to present their latest EFAIDS resource: ‘Healthy Action: An activity book for teachers and learners’.

    EI launches new teachers’ guide to healthy living and learning
  12. News 22 February 2011

    CAR: Teachers provide education despite on-going violence

    EI is supporting teachers in the Central African Republic (CAR) who are struggling to bring quality education to their students despite decades of political violence.

    CAR: Teachers provide education despite on-going violence
  13. News 22 February 2011

    Georgia: Unions demand consultation on teacher qualification

    Georgia’s EI affiliate, the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union (ESFTUG), has responded to proposals for a new teachers’ certification process by calling on the Georgian Ministry of Education to engage with consultation.

    Georgia: Unions demand consultation on teacher qualification
  14. News 16 February 2011

    Colombia: killing of teacher unionists must end

    The Colombian teacher and trade unionist, Carlos Alberto Ayala, was shot dead on 5 February. The gunmen who murdered him had been laying in wait for him as he returned to his home in Puerto Asís.

    Colombia: killing of teacher unionists must end
  15. News 11 February 2011

    Education unions prepare for life after Mubarak

    Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as the President of Egypt. In an announcement on state TV, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said Mr Mubarak has handed power to the military.

    Education unions prepare for life after Mubarak
  16. News 7 February 2011

    Day of action for democracy and civil rights in Egypt

    As Egypt operates under immense uncertainty following two weeks of deadly anti-government protests, trade unionists around the world are joining a Day of Action for Democracy on 8 February.

    Day of action for democracy and civil rights in Egypt