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 July 2019

    Joining forces to change the world

    Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi sparked hope for change among delegates at the EI World Congress with a motivational speech on leadership, change and justice.

    Joining forces to change the world
  2. Worlds of Education 22 July 2019

    “Our Mandate”, by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Being elected General Secretary of EI is a great honour. It is a challenge to live up to the confidence that has been given by the representatives of education workers from all regions of the world. It is also comforting to join that small team of talented leaders elected on...

    “Our Mandate”, by David Edwards
  3. News 20 July 2019

    ESN holds General Assembly prior to World Congress

    The Education and Solidarity Network (ESN), of which Education International (EI) is a founding organisation, held its General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand on July 20. These organisations from all around the world, including education unions, share the values of solidarity and democracy as their members cooperate to improve the health...

    ESN holds General Assembly prior to World Congress
  4. Publications

    On Education & Democracy: 25 Lessons from the Teaching Profession

    Fred van Leeuwen, Susan Hopgood
    15 July 2019

    On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Education International, which currently brings together the national education unions of 170 countries representing 32.5 million educators and education support staff, we have selected 25 lessons which educators and their organisations have learnt throughout history on education and democracy.

    On Education & Democracy: 25 Lessons from the Teaching Profession
    1. Download
  5. News 13 July 2019

    United Nations: Mandate of Independent Expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity renewed

    The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert focusing on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).

    United Nations: Mandate of Independent Expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity renewed
  6. Worlds of Education 11 July 2019

    #OffTrack #2: In the Philippines, Schools Serving Indigenous Communities Are Under Attack.

    Today, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum will focus on reviewing Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequalities and its interrelations with other goals. We are far off track to achieve equitable access to education and equitable educational opportunities for all. In fact, in some countries, governments are introducing policies...

    #OffTrack #2: In the Philippines, Schools Serving Indigenous Communities Are Under Attack.
  7. Worlds of Education 10 July 2019

    #OffTrack #1: In Morocco, Teachers Protest Precarious Employment Contracts That Disregard SDG Commitments to Improve Teacher Employment Conditions

    Today, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum will focus on reviewing Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work and interrelations with other goals. We are far off track to achieve decent work for all educators. In fact, in some countries, governments are introducing policies that are worsening the employment and...

    #OffTrack #1: In Morocco, Teachers Protest Precarious Employment Contracts That Disregard SDG Commitments to Improve Teacher Employment Conditions
  8. News 9 July 2019

    Solidarity with Hong Kong education unionists’ protest actions

    Education International firmly supported its affiliates in Hong Kong and Taiwan protesting against the legislative change which would facilitate extradition to mainland China.

    Solidarity with Hong Kong education unionists’ protest actions
  9. News 26 June 2019

    Djibouti: teachers are being unfairly imprisoned

    Education International and the Francophone Trade Union Committee for Education and Training are demanding the immediate release of seven teachers arrested in Djibouti on apparently unsubstantiated charges.

    Djibouti: teachers are being unfairly imprisoned
  10. News 21 June 2019

    2019 Centenary International Labour Conference adopts new Convention and Recommendation on violence and harassment in the world of work

    Education International warmly welcomes the historic move by the 108th Centenary International Labour Conference, which has just adopted a first of its kind global instrument: a Convention and Recommendation on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.

    2019 Centenary International Labour Conference adopts new Convention and Recommendation on violence and harassment in the world of work
  11. News 20 June 2019

    World Refugee Day: Teachers stand up for displaced children and teachers

    As growing numbers of refugees try to find safety from conflict, persecution, and natural disasters often induced by climate change, Education International is highlighting the plight of displaced children and educators worldwide.

    World Refugee Day: Teachers stand up for displaced children and teachers
  12. News 20 June 2019

    France: private education unions mobilise for better working conditions for all

    Education trade unions representing state-subsidised private education in France have made history by uniting to put forward their demands and call for “decent and peaceful working conditions for all employees”, as “a matter of survival and dignity”.

    France: private education unions mobilise for better working conditions for all
  13. Worlds of Education 20 June 2019

    “The Fast Track for Newly Arrived Teachers in Sweden: the union’s perspective”, by Patrik Ribe.

    Patrik Ribe

    In 2015 the number of immigrants seeking asylum in Sweden reached record numbers. In total, Sweden received 163 000 asylum seeking refugees that year. For us. as a teachers’ union, it was natural to contribute to the creation of a system that would make good use of the teaching competence...

    “The Fast Track for Newly Arrived Teachers in Sweden: the union’s perspective”, by Patrik Ribe.
  14. Worlds of Education 20 June 2019

    “World Refugee Day: Stop Fencing out Democracy”, by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    In her 1948 speech concluding the work of the nascent UN Commission on Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Democracy, freedom, human rights have come to have a definite meaning to the people of the world which we must not allow any nation to so change that they are made synonymous...

    “World Refugee Day: Stop Fencing out Democracy”, by David Edwards.