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 10 April 2013

    Join teacher unions initiatives against bullying and discrimination in school

    In Canada, teacher unions celebrated the Day of Pink on 10 April, the International Day against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia and Transphobia in schools. On 3 May, a US initiative, supported by the American Federation of Teachers, “Stand4Change” will also invite school communities throughout the world to take a firm stand...

    Join teacher unions initiatives against bullying and discrimination in school
  2. News 3 April 2013

    Pakistan: We stand with the children and teachers!

    The United Nations Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, Education International and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are demanding of the authorities in Pakistan that they enable girls to go to schools which are safe and secure.

    Pakistan: We stand with the children and teachers!
  3. News 3 April 2013

    USA: Educator unions reject guns in schools

    EI’s national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), have strongly rejected the conclusions of a report released by the National Rifle Association (NRA) task force.

    USA: Educator unions reject guns in schools
  4. News 30 March 2013

    Pakistan: Remembering murdered teachers

    Education International will organize a memorial for the teachers who have been murdered in Pakistan recently. EI will also establish a girls’ scholarship fund to promote girls’ education and to support teachers and students victimised because of their support for girls schooling.

    Pakistan: Remembering murdered teachers
  5. News 30 March 2013

    Pakistan: Attacks on schools and teachers now occurring daily

    A head teacher was murdered this morning in Pakistan - and three school children are fighting for their lives with another three badly injured - after the latest attack on a school and on the right of girls to education.

    Pakistan: Attacks on schools and teachers now occurring daily
  6. News 28 March 2013

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon condemns killing of woman teacher in Pakistan

    In a statement issued today, the UN Secretary-General calls on the international community to prevent violations of the right to education, prompted by the heinous killing of Shahnaz Nazli, in Peschawar, Pakistan.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon condemns killing of woman teacher in Pakistan
  7. News 27 March 2013

    EI condemns shooting of Pakistani woman teacher

    Shahnaz Nazli, a 41 year old female teacher at a girls’ school near the town of Jamrud in Peschawar, Pakistan, was shot for wanting to teach girls, on Tuesday March 26th as she walked to school. Gunmen opened fire, when Ms Nazli was just 200 metres from the school, and...

    EI condemns shooting of Pakistani woman teacher
  8. News 15 March 2013

    UK: Education unionists fight asbestos in schools

    The Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC) has welcomed the spotlight focused on asbestos in schools at the Education Select Committee Inquiry into Asbestos in Schools on 13 March’s. EI’s UK affiliates, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), and the...

    UK: Education unionists fight asbestos in schools
  9. News 8 March 2013

    USA: Teacher leader arrested

    On 7 March, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten was placed in handcuffs and arrested along with 18 other activists during a protest against the closure of 29 public schools in Philadelphia which, according to Mayor Nutter and the School Reform Commission, are poorly performing schools.

    USA: Teacher leader arrested
  10. News 28 February 2013

    The Gambia: educators’ union celebrates 76th anniversary

    The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) celebrated its 76th anniversary on 16 February.The theme of the celebration was “Enhanced Synergy: an Inevitable Necessity for our Unity”.

    The Gambia: educators’ union celebrates 76th anniversary
  11. News 28 February 2013

    Niger: Teachers union calls on government to negotiate in good faith

    The Syndicat National des Agents de la Formation et de l’Education du Niger(SYNAFEN), one of EI’s national affiliates, has called on the Government to respect the country’s Constitution and urged that dialogue and not force be used to resolve conflict. It made its demands in a Statement published after it...

    Niger: Teachers union calls on government to negotiate in good faith
  12. News 27 February 2013

    Morocco: Congress debates challenges of public education

    The Syndicat national de l'enseignement-Fédération démocratique du travail (SNE-FDT) of Morocco, held its 10th Congress from 22-24 February in Marrakech. The congress theme was “All in defence of public education, the teaching profession, trade union rights and democratic freedoms”.

    Morocco: Congress debates challenges of public education
  13. News 20 February 2013

    Turkey: More than 140 trade unionists arrested

    EI strongly condemns the police raids that have targeted members and leaders of the public sector confederation, KESK, early in the morning on Tuesday, 19 February.

    Turkey: More than 140 trade unionists arrested
  14. News 18 February 2013

    Malaysia: Students to get extra insurance coverage

    The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), one of EI’s national affiliates, has broadly welcomed the government’s announcement of additional insurance being offered to schoolchildren. However, it also called on the Government to address school-bus facilities.

    Malaysia: Students to get extra insurance coverage
  15. News 14 February 2013

    Strong teacher unions are good partners in serious reform

    In a well-received speech delivered at the World Bank, EI Vice-President Dennis van Roekel from the National Education Association/USA has raised some important issues about the Bank’s approach to education sector reform, how that approach impacts on teachers, misses important opportunities for educational improvement and equity ... and where the...

    Strong teacher unions are good partners in serious reform
  16. News 13 February 2013

    France: primary school teachers strike for reform

    The Syndicat national unitaire des instituteurs professeurs des écoles et PEGC - a national school teachers’ trade union (SNUipp-FSU), one of EI's national affiliates, announced that almost six teachers in 10 (58 per cent) went on strike on 12 February to demand a successful reform of school timetables for all...

    France: primary school teachers strike for reform