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 16 June 2017

    Botswana education unions uphold the right to effective collective bargaining

    In response to the government’s clampdown on workers’ rights, the Botswana Sectors of Education Trade Unions and Education International took their fight to the global stage at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Botswana education unions uphold the right to effective collective bargaining
  2. News 16 June 2017

    Canada: teachers celebrate repeal of anti-labour legislation

    For the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, the repeal of the bill, which limited the rights of labour unions, is a major win after an extensive national campaign was launched to end the conservative policy.

    Canada: teachers celebrate repeal of anti-labour legislation
  3. News 14 June 2017

    Turkey: Urgent action needed

    International pressure on the Turkish government is rising since the arrest of the Chair of Amnesty International Turkey, Taner Kılıç. He has been detained on bogus charges of terrorism since 6 June.

    Turkey: Urgent action needed
  4. News 13 June 2017

    USA: teachers work to stop deportation of undocumented students

    The American Federation of Teachers has issued its Immigrant Youth Guide in Spanish, a tool that helps teachers support and prepare undocumented students in the event of government immigration raids.

    USA: teachers work to stop deportation of undocumented students
  5. News 12 June 2017

    Education unions work to ensure a child’s place is in school, not at work

    This year’s World Day Against Child Labour has focused efforts on the fallout of conflicts and disasters, and how they are catalysts for pushing millions of children into labour or into the hands of traffickers.

    Education unions work to ensure a child’s place is in school, not at work
  6. News 9 June 2017

    Ecuador: Educators receive widespread support at ILO

    With freedom of association in Ecuador severely hampered, education union UNE is taking its demands to a higher level at the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

    Ecuador: Educators receive widespread support at ILO
  7. News 8 June 2017

    EI defends education workers' rights at International Labour Conference

    The labour rights of teachers and quality terms of employment for better education systems have been at the core of EI deputy general secretary Haldis Holst's address to the International Labour Conference.

    EI defends education workers' rights at International Labour Conference
  8. News 7 June 2017

    ILO: Educators highlight labour concerns in sector

    Teachers and education professionals attending the 106th session of the International Labour Conference are going to defend their labour rights in the presence of Governments and employers’ organisations.

    ILO: Educators highlight labour concerns in sector
  9. Worlds of Education 1 June 2017

    Teacher union renewal: developing the power of the profession

    Howard Stevenson

    The challenges that face teachers often look very similar around the world. Global league tables are often behind the relentless pressure to drive test scores up, whilst the forces of global economic competition explain a race to the bottom on teachers’ working conditions. Teachers experience ever rising workloads, but perhaps...

    Teacher union renewal: developing the power of the profession
  10. Worlds of Education 31 May 2017

    Re-thinking Disability

    Tania Principe

    Over the last 50 years, attitudes toward disability have changed. Whether viewing disability as a medical condition, through the prism of human rights or forms of exclusion, the understanding of disability has dramatically evolved. One could argue that we now know more than ever about disability.

    Re-thinking Disability
  11. News 29 May 2017

    Romania: 65th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration

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

    Romania: 65th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration
  12. News 23 May 2017

    Colombia: Solidarity in the wake of attacks against teachers union

    Just days after an attack on the head office of Colombian teachers union FECODE, the international community has already been quick to express its solidarity and support of Colombian teachers and the peace process.

    Colombia: Solidarity in the wake of attacks against teachers union
  13. News 19 May 2017

    IRAN: Teacher Union Leader Esmail Abdi on Hunger Strike

    Education International (EI) reiterates its global solidarity call to request the immediate and unconditional release of Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association, who was sentenced to six years in jail on false charges by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court of Tehran last October.

    IRAN: Teacher Union Leader Esmail Abdi on Hunger Strike
  14. News 16 May 2017

    Iran: urgent action needed to help free education unionist

    Education International reiterates its call for global solidarity and urges Iranian public authorities to immediately release imprisoned education union leader Esmail Abdi, whose hunger strike is taking a toll on his health.

    Iran: urgent action needed to help free education unionist
  15. News 12 May 2017

    UK: MPs call halt to high-stakes primary testing

    Teacher unionists have welcomed a new report by the UK Commons Education Select Committee on Primary Assessment, highlighting the need to reform high-stakes tests in primary school.

    UK: MPs call halt to high-stakes primary testing
  16. News 11 May 2017

    Denmark: 64th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration

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

    Denmark: 64th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration