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 August 2007

    Peru: Government urged to respect teachers' rights

    The 5th EI World Congress held from 22-26 July in Berlin passed an urgent resolution on the current situation in Peru, where the conflict between the government and teachers has resulted in many arrested and one teacher killed.

    Peru: Government urged to respect teachers' rights
  2. News 9 August 2007

    Albania: EI deplores eviction of trade union confederations

    Education International has written to the Albanian government to protest against the expulsion of nationally recognised trade union confederations the KSSH and the BSPSH from their offices in Tirana.

    Albania: EI deplores eviction of trade union confederations
  3. News 6 August 2007

    EI urges Philipines government to address extrajudicial killings

    Education International has written to the President of the Philippines following an urgent resolution adopted at the 5th World Congress calling on the government to immediately put a stop to extrajudicial killings and involuntary disappearances.

    EI urges Philipines government to address extrajudicial killings
  4. News 21 July 2007

    New DVD on the EFAIDS Programme

    EI has carefully collected footage to produce a short film which illustrates the story behind the EFAIDS Programme and why it is considered so important by the teacher unions implementing it.

    New DVD on the EFAIDS Programme
  5. 19 July 2007

    Courageous Colombians defend rights

    “Dignity and intellectual freedom transcend, like a phoenix, the bars and cells of repression and state tyranny.”

    Courageous Colombians defend rights