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. Worlds of Education 9 August 2017

    Do not turn teachers into spies!

    Recently the European Bangladesh Forum invited me to participate in a debate on violent extremism. At stake was the question: How to prevent violent extremism?

    Do not turn teachers into spies!
  2. News 9 August 2017

    Cyprus: 68th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Cyprus to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Cyprus: 68th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  3. News 4 August 2017

    Turkey: Threat of curriculum manipulation to replace science with Islamic worldview

    Secularism – the division between state and religious institutions –, a historic value of the Turkish political system, is being undermined by changes to the country’s school curriculum, which propose to oust the scientific theory of evolution in favour of an Islamic worldview.

    Turkey: Threat of curriculum manipulation to replace science with Islamic worldview
  4. Worlds of Education 2 August 2017

    A Long Way to Go: An Analysis of Inclusive Education for Disabled Girls Globally

    Tania Principe

    Disabled girls are among the most marginalised and poorly educated groups in the world. They have not been a priority in international development, education, or arguably, disability organisations.

    A Long Way to Go: An Analysis of Inclusive Education for Disabled Girls Globally
  5. News 27 July 2017

    Philippines: End attacks against indigenous teachers, students and schools

    Education International has called on its member organisations to condemn the continuous harassment and attacks against students, teachers and human rights activists of the Lumad indigenous communities on Mindanao island in the Philippines.

    Philippines: End attacks against indigenous teachers, students and schools
  6. News 20 July 2017

    Serbia: 67th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration 

    Education International welcomes the move by Serbia to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Serbia: 67th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration 
  7. Worlds of Education 18 July 2017

    Preparing for Difficult Conversations

    Felisa Tibbitts

    How can educators facilitate difficult conversations in their classrooms?  If we believe that democratic citizenship is linked with engagement in social issues, then undoubtedly these topics also include those that make us feel uncomfortable. Or are complex or even unresolvable. If there are different points of view on a hot...

    Preparing for Difficult Conversations
  8. News 17 July 2017

    Saudi Arabia: Call to halt execution of peaceful protestors

    Education International strongly urges Saudi Arabian authorities to halt the execution of student Mujtaba’a al-Sweikat and other men facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for protest-related offences.

    Saudi Arabia: Call to halt execution of peaceful protestors
  9. News 12 July 2017

    France: Unions criticise plans for sick leave waiting period in public sector

    EI-affiliated trade union groups in France have strongly criticised the French government's intention to reinstate a waiting day for public service employees in case of sick leave, describing the measure as “ineffective” and “unfair”.

    France: Unions criticise plans for sick leave waiting period in public sector
  10. News 4 July 2017

    Niger: Trade unionist teacher elected to National Commission on Human Rights

    In a significant move, the General Secretary of the Syndicat National des Agents de la Formation et de l'Education du Niger, has been appointed as the workers’ representative on the National Commission on Human Rights in Niger.

    Niger: Trade unionist teacher elected to National Commission on Human Rights
  11. 26 June 2017

    Education and Training Policy in the European Semester - Public Investment, Public Policy, Social Dialogue and Privatisation Patterns across Europe

    The European Union has answered to the economic and financial crisis, adopting the Europe 2020 Strategy plan for sustainable, smart economic growth. Education, employment, fighting poverty and social exclusion are at the hearth of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the EU-policy making, coordinated through the European Semester coordination. Since the...

    Education and Training Policy in the European Semester - Public Investment, Public Policy, Social Dialogue and Privatisation Patterns across Europe
  12. News 26 June 2017

    Human rights and citizenship education crucial to harmony in democratic societies

    Education International’s Deputy General Secretary, Haldis Holst, has strongly reaffirmed the importance of human rights and citizenship education to meet global challenges and achieve mutual respect in democratic societies.

    Human rights and citizenship education crucial to harmony in democratic societies
  13. News 22 June 2017

    Botswana: 66th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Botswana to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Botswana: 66th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration