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 November 2008

    Gender and AIDS in the Education Sector

    The Commonwealth Secretariat in cooperation with Education International has produced a report on ‘Gender, HIV/AIDS & the Status of Teachers’.

    Gender and AIDS in the Education Sector
  2. News 5 November 2008

    American education unions welcome Obama’s election

    Both the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have enthusiastically welcomed the election of Barack Obama, a “friend of public education,” to the White House.

    American education unions welcome Obama’s election
  3. News 22 October 2008

    Somalia: the end of education

    Five teachers and eight students have been killed, and nearly 30, 000 more students have been deprived of the right to education after the last schools still operating in Somalia’s capital city of Mogadishu were closed in mid-October due to the unacceptable risk of violence.

    Somalia: the end of education
  4. News 16 October 2008

    Report on school violence unjustly targets teachers

    A report on violence in schools published last week by Plan International is sensationalist and unjustly targets teachers, said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen in an address to the first congress of the South African teachers union NAPTOSA on 15 October.

    Report on school violence unjustly targets teachers
  5. News 13 October 2008

    Urgent call to action: Stand up against poverty!

    The Global Call for Action Against Poverty, a growing movement of citizens across the world, is urging everyone once again to stand up and take action against poverty, and for equity and justice.

    Urgent call to action: Stand up against poverty!
  6. News 2 October 2008

    Rwanda: Death of SYPERWA General Secretary Faustin Kanamugire

    Education International regrets to announce the passing of Faustin Kanamugire, General Secretary of the former "Equipes Enseignantes du Rwanda" (EER), now known as the "Syndicat des Personnels de l'Enseignement du Rwanda" (SYPERWA).

    Rwanda: Death of SYPERWA General Secretary Faustin Kanamugire
  7. News 1 October 2008

    Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting

    Iranian teachers trying to attend a trade union meeting have been illegally detained in Iran. Teacher trade unions convened the meeting to give members the opportunity to peacefully discuss possible activities to celebrate World Teachers Day. Every year on 5 October, millions of educators worldwide undertake public activities highlighting that...

    Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting
  8. News 30 September 2008

    Sichuan teacher who posted photos of collapsed schools now released from labour camp

    Human Rights in China has learned that Liu Shaokun, a teacher who was sentenced to one year of Re-education Through Labour after posting online his photographs of collapsed school buildings in earthquake-affected areas, was released by the authorities on 24 September. He will now be permitted to serve his sentence...

    Sichuan teacher who posted photos of collapsed schools now released from labour camp
  9. News 26 September 2008

    Zimbabwean teacher trade unionist released from prison

    The President of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, who was illegally arrested and held incommunicado under appalling conditions, has now been released from prison.

    Zimbabwean teacher trade unionist released from prison
  10. News 24 September 2008

    Finland: EI extends condolences and solidarity

    On behalf of teachers and education workers around the world, Education International expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families and school communities of the victims of yesterday's tragic school shooting in Finland.

    Finland: EI extends condolences and solidarity
  11. News 23 September 2008

    EFAIDS Programme launched in Nepal

    The recent political change in Nepal coincided with the incorporation of the Nepalese teacher unions into the EI EFAIDS Programme. Working in partnership, the Nepal National Teachers’ Association (NNTA) and the Nepal Teachers’ Association (NTA) plan to carry out joint activities and training under the Nepal EI EFAIDS Programme.

    EFAIDS Programme launched in Nepal
  12. News 23 September 2008

    EFAIDS looks ahead to 2009

    The EI EFAIDS Evaluation and Planning Workshop for EI staff and partners was held in early September and provided an opportunity to review the Programme which has expanded steadily since 2006 and is now successfully implemented in almost fifty countries across four regions.

    EFAIDS looks ahead to 2009
  13. News 23 September 2008

    Ugandan unions partnership strengthens EFAIDS Programme

    The recent incorporation of the National Union of Education Institutes (NUEI) to the EFAIDS Programme in Uganda reaches out to non-teaching staff in schools. The Uganda National Teachers Union, working on the Programme since 2006, is confident that the partnership will benefit EFAIDS work.

    Ugandan unions partnership strengthens EFAIDS Programme
  14. News 23 September 2008

    Spend ‘One Hour on AIDS’ on World AIDS Day

    World AIDS Day on 1 December is an opportunity to emphasise education for HIV prevention and combat stigma on AIDS with colleagues and students. Building on the success of last year, the EI EFAIDS Programme has prepared a ‘One Hour on AIDS’ activity kit which teachers around the world can...

    Spend ‘One Hour on AIDS’ on World AIDS Day
  15. News 23 September 2008

    Translating Talk into Action – International XVII AIDS Conference, Mexico

    The XVII International AIDS Conference, with 25,000 participants, brought together representatives from many sectors working on HIV/AIDS issues. For a few days AIDS was the focus of a busy schedule of presentations, debates and interaction. But what happens now? With UNAIDS reporting a shortfall of US$8 billion in AIDS funding...

    Translating Talk into Action – International XVII AIDS Conference, Mexico
  16. News 23 September 2008

    Interview with General Secretaries of Nepalese unions

    Birendra P. Shrestha, General Secretary of Nepal Teachers' Association (NTA) and Baburam Adhikari, General Secretary of Nepal National Teachers' Association (NNTA) attended the inaugural EI EFAIDS workshop in Nepal that took place from 25th until 28th June 2008.

    Interview with General Secretaries of Nepalese unions
  17. News 15 September 2008

    Save Farzad: Your support is still urgently needed!

    According to the latest news on Farsi websites, the situation of Iranian teacher trade unionist Farzad Kamangar remains critical. Farzad is still alive, but facing the death sentence which has not yet been commuted. At present, he is in solitary confinement in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison in section 209, the...

    Save Farzad: Your support is still urgently needed!