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 3 March 2014

    Kenya: Education unions issue two-week strike notice

    Public university lecturers and non-teaching staff have threatened to go on strike in two weeks’ time in Kenya. Led by union officials from the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU), an EI national affiliate, as well as members of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), they have urged the Government to...

    Kenya: Education unions issue two-week strike notice
  2. News 28 February 2014

    Ukraine: EI’s European Region calls for action to restore unions

    Last Sunday, Kiev's Independence Square turned into a giant memorial complex, as people gathered in thousands to honour the dozens of people who were killed in clashes between demonstrators and the police forces. EI and the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), has expressed its solidarity for its Ukrainian...

    Ukraine: EI’s European Region calls for action to restore unions
  3. News 27 February 2014

    Nigeria: Boys targeted and killed in terrorist attack on state school

    EI condemns the reported killing of between 29 and 59 school boys at their boarding school in Northern Nigeria in the early hours of 25 February. It is claimed that the boys were shot or burnt to death by the terrorist group commonly known as Boko Haram (which roughly translates...

    Nigeria: Boys targeted and killed in terrorist attack on state school
  4. News 19 February 2014

    Algeria: Fourth week of strikes in education sector

    A widespread strike in the education sector in Algeria has entered its fourth week, despite an intervention by the Prime Minister to bring it to an end. The strike, which started on 25 January, has involved members of the National Union of Education and Training Staff (UNPEF) and the National...

    Algeria: Fourth week of strikes in education sector
  5. News 7 February 2014

    Seminar Wrap Up: Gender and Occupational Health

    The presentations held at the ETUI seminar in Porto on 23 and 24 January are online now. The seminar had the title "His and hers: justice and health in employment and the workplace" and was conducted in collaboration with Porto University.

    Seminar Wrap Up: Gender and Occupational Health
  6. News 7 February 2014

    Supporting Victims of Data Abuse

    The latest report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), ‘Access to data protection remedies in EU Member States’, shows that victims of data abuse often lack the understanding about data protection and the authorities that serve to help them.

    Supporting Victims of Data Abuse
  7. News 3 February 2014

    Tunisia: EI hails adoption of new constitution

    After two years of difficult discussions, the Tunisian people adopted the new Constitution on 26 January 2014. “Tunisia is entering a second Republic – and this time, a democratic one!” is the emphatic view of Taher Dhaker, General Secretary of the UGTT’s primary school teachers’ union (SGEB/UGTT).

    Tunisia: EI hails adoption of new constitution
  8. News 28 January 2014

    New court hearings against trade unionists in Turkey

    In March 2012 the Turkish confederation KESK organised a demonstration to protest against the draft Public Services Trade Union law and against proposed changes in the education system.

    New court hearings against trade unionists in Turkey
  9. News 24 January 2014

    Cambodia: Teacher union leader released

    EI is relieved to learn that Mr Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) and of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), was released a few hours after his arrest on 21 January.

    Cambodia: Teacher union leader released
  10. News 24 January 2014

    Haiti: Teachers halt strike after pay rise agreed

    A draft agreement has been signed by teachers' unions and the government’s ad hoc committee resulting in a suspension by teachers of strike action. This follows discussions on 22 and 23 January in which the trade unions negotiated a pay rise with the government which will come into effect in...

    Haiti: Teachers halt strike after pay rise agreed
  11. News 21 January 2014

    Cambodia: EI requests the immediate release of teacher union leader Rong Chhun

    Mr Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) and of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) was arrested by the police on 21 January while attending a workers’ meeting in Phnom Penh.

    Cambodia: EI requests the immediate release of teacher union leader Rong Chhun
  12. News 14 January 2014

    EI releases major study documenting collective bargaining in the education sector

    Since the financial crisis in 2008, trade unions have faced unprecedented challenges to maintain existing rights and to strengthen collective bargaining provisions. An important new study by Education International provides a valuable insight into the disturbing trends in freedom of association and collective bargaining in the education sector in many...

    EI releases major study documenting collective bargaining in the education sector
  13. News 9 January 2014

    Cambodia: EI condemns violence against striking garment workers

    EI has strongly condemned the continued disproportionate violence perpetrated by Cambodian authorities against striking garment workers. Five workers have been killed, dozens injured and at least 39 arrested. The strike has been halted but demands for an increased minimum wage are maintained.

    Cambodia: EI condemns violence against striking garment workers
  14. News 6 January 2014

    Korea: Union leader freed

    Kim Jeonghun, the president of EI affiliate Korean Teachers’ Union (KTU), has been released. Having been arrested illegally on 22 December 2013, Kim received widespread international support and the warrant for his detention was overruled by a judge, leading to his release on 25 December.

    Korea: Union leader freed
  15. News 24 December 2013

    Korea: Teacher trade unionists detained

    Education International has expressed grave concern at the escalating violence against legitimate trade union organisations in South Korea. Authorities have staged raids in the last few days, including against one of EI's affiliates in the country, the Korean Teachers' Union (KTU).

    Korea: Teacher trade unionists detained
  16. News 13 December 2013

    Germany: Thousands strike for better living and working conditions

    The Berlin branch of the Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft(GEW), one of EI’s national affiliates, organised a hugely successful industrial action on 4-5 December. More than 2,400 teachers and about 150 pupils participated in the strike, demanding improved living and working conditions for education staff.

    Germany: Thousands strike for better living and working conditions
  17. News 12 December 2013

    Kenya: Educators’ voice should be heard, say unions

    The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), two of EI’s national affiliates, have called on the Government to engage in honest social dialogue to ensure quality education in the country.

    Kenya: Educators’ voice should be heard, say unions
  18. News 10 December 2013

    Educators celebrate International Day for Human Rights

    On this date, 10 December, Human Rights Day, EI pays tribute to educators around the world who fight for the right to live and work in dignity. These educators and their trade unions also fight for freedom of expression, assembly and association; the right to bargain collectively; and for all...

    Educators celebrate International Day for Human Rights