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 April 2020

    South Africa: Union’s measures to ensure educators’ and students’ health and safety

    Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the South African Democratic Teachers' Union is doing its utmost to reach out to union members, ensure teachers’ and students’ safety from the virus, and improve access to remote teaching and learning.

    South Africa: Union’s measures to ensure educators’ and students’ health and safety
  2. News 21 April 2020

    Canada: Education community mourns death of teacher during a deadly mass shooting

    Nineteen people were killed in a shooting rampage in Nova Scotia, a maritime province in Eastern Canada. Along with its member organisation, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, Education International mourns the many lives lost in a shooting rampage in Nova Scotia, including a teacher and the wife of another teacher.

    Canada: Education community mourns death of teacher during a deadly mass shooting
  3. News 17 April 2020

    Poland: Union fighting to reduce challenges posed by COVID-19 crisis

    During the current COVID-19 pandemic, education unionists in Poland are calling for increased funding for education and broad access to remote teaching and learning so that education can continue, and the health of educators and their students can be safeguarded.

    Poland: Union fighting to reduce challenges posed by COVID-19 crisis
  4. News 17 April 2020

    Peru: Threat to Labour Rights

    In response to the Peruvian government's ruling on labour issues, which allows private companies to regulate employment in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, trade unions have launched a campaign to demand the repeal of Emergency Decree 038-2020, which authorises the complete suspension of work, effectively undermining collective bargaining.

    Peru: Threat to Labour Rights
  5. News 16 April 2020

    Iraq: Education union mobilises to support teachers and students during pandemic

    Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of school communities, secure financial support for educators and continued education for students.

    Iraq: Education union mobilises to support teachers and students during pandemic
  6. News 16 April 2020

    Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award

    Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2020 to trade union leader and educator Barbara Figueroa Sandoval from Chile.

    Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award
  7. News 15 April 2020

    Germany: Education union raises concerns around reopening of schools

    A German education union has voiced its concern at proposals to reopen schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues to safeguard educator and student health include addressing how social distancing will operate in classrooms, the wearing of face masks, and infection prevention in facilities and public transport.

    Germany: Education union raises concerns around reopening of schools
  8. News 9 April 2020

    Kenya: Educators call for lockdown and measures to protect population during COVID-19 crisis

    Two education unions in Kenya have called for a complete lockdown of the country to ensure the safety of educators and students. The proposal is just one of those submitted by the unions for the effective and successful management of the health, education, and economic crisis caused by the spread...

    Kenya: Educators call for lockdown and measures to protect population during COVID-19 crisis
  9. News 8 April 2020

    Benin: Backdoor privatisation of education under COVID-19

    Although the Beninese public authorities have declared the closure of the country’s schools, pupils and teachers must nevertheless resume classes on 14 April. The public authorities have also taken the decision to recruit teaching staff through interim agencies, to which education unions strongly oppose.

    Benin: Backdoor privatisation of education under COVID-19
  10. News 8 April 2020

    Education International and global union partners call on international finance institutions to coordinate an urgent and equitable response to the COVID-19 crisis

    In a statement released ahead of the (virtual) Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Global Unions including Education International have called on the international finance institutions (IFIs) to take action for economic stimulus, debt relief and healthcare.

    Education International and global union partners call on international finance institutions to coordinate an urgent and equitable response to the COVID-19 crisis
  11. News 6 April 2020

    COVID-19: Educators call for global solidarity and a human-centred approach to the crisis

    The Education International Executive Board held an emergency webinar on Friday, 3 April. During the call, the Executive Board adopted a resolution outlining educators’ key demands to all governments and international institutions dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.

    COVID-19: Educators call for global solidarity and a human-centred approach to the crisis
  12. News 6 April 2020

    Papua New Guinea: Education closures extended to confine COVID-19 to single case

    While all schools and universities have been closed since 23 March as part of the country’s measures to deter the spread of COVID-19, the Papua New Guinea Teachers' Association discusses with their government ways to ensure quality education and safe return to schools for children and educators.

    Papua New Guinea: Education closures extended to confine COVID-19 to single case
  13. News 2 April 2020

    Mexico: Education union joins the fight against COVID-19

    In Mexico, the Education International member organisation is contributing to government efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of teachers and students and the continued provision of schooling.

    Mexico: Education union joins the fight against COVID-19
  14. News 2 April 2020

    OECD: Technology can amplify the work of great teachers, but it will not replace them

    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is assessing the impact of technology on students and their learning outcomes as millions of schools close in over 140 countries to prevent the spread of COVID-19. And it has recognised the valuable contribution teachers made in the education process.

    OECD: Technology can amplify the work of great teachers, but it will not replace them