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 21 September 2012

    Kenya: Government must meet educators’ legitimate demands for decent wages

    EI has sent a protest letter to the Kenyan Head of Public Service, Francis Kimemia, urging the Government to enter into meaningful negotiations with EI national affiliates on teacher wages and allowances.

    Kenya: Government must meet educators’ legitimate demands for decent wages
  2. News 20 September 2012

    International Day of Peace highlights education for peace

    EI will celebrate the International Day of Peace on 21 September. On this occasion, it will reaffirm that human rights are at the heart of the peace.

    International Day of Peace highlights education for peace
  3. News 7 September 2012

    Bahrain: Grave concerns about teacher unionists in detention

    In view of the final appeals hearing in the cases of Bahraini teacher unionists Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila Al Salman, there is growing concern that harsh earlier sentences, will be upheld by the appeals court - as in another ruling against Bahraini activists earlier this week.

    Bahrain: Grave concerns about teacher unionists in detention
  4. News 3 September 2012

    Germany: Long journeys to school undermine education

    Long journeys to school caused by the closing of local schools have a negative impact on students’ health and on their education achievement levels. That’s one of the conclusions of the latest study on absenteeism undertaken by the scientific Institute of the German health care insurance company AOK, highlighted by...

    Germany: Long journeys to school undermine education
  5. News 31 August 2012

    U.S.A.: Education unionists celebrate Labour Day

    The American Federation of teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), EI’s national affiliates, honour all workers countrywide on Monday 3 September, U.S. Labour Day.

    U.S.A.: Education unionists celebrate Labour Day
  6. News 29 August 2012

    Tanzania: Strike cancelled amid calls for negotiation

    The Tanzania Teachers’ Union (TTU) has called off its strike over teachers’ pay, after a High Court ruling found the countrywide action unlawful. The TTU made its decision in order to encourage bilateral discussions with the government to settle its case.

    Tanzania: Strike cancelled amid calls for negotiation
  7. News 28 August 2012

    Uganda: Union demands payment of teachers’ salaries

    Over 30,000 teachers across Uganda have not been paid in July. That’s according to a report by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), one of EI’s national affiliate. The report also points out that some teachers have not been paid since December 2011.

    Uganda: Union demands payment of teachers’ salaries
  8. News 24 August 2012

    DRC: Armed conflict puts education in peril

    EI’s affiliates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have voiced their support for concerns raised about education in DRC by the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Fédération nationale des enseignants du Congo (FENECO-UNTC) and the Syndicat des enseignants du Congo (SYECO) were reacting to a UNICEF report...

    DRC: Armed conflict puts education in peril
  9. News 21 August 2012

    Bahrain: U.S. unions push for respect of human and labour rights

    The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), along with other influential organisations, has urged U.S. Labour Secretary Hilda Solis to release her Department’s finding concerning Bahrain’s compliance with provisions of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA). AFT, one of EI’s affiliates in the U.S., was joined in the initiative by the...

    Bahrain: U.S. unions push for respect of human and labour rights
  10. News 13 August 2012

    Honduras: Teachers take action for fundamental labour rights

    The Federation of Teaching Organisations of Honduras (FOMH) has mobilised in defence of the work of school teachers, their Social Security, and public education in Honduras.

    Honduras: Teachers take action for fundamental labour rights
  11. News 3 August 2012

    Swaziland: Crackdown on striking teachers

    Hundreds of laid-off teachers and the Executive Office of the teacher union SNAT sacked. This is the Government's response to the legitimate strike of civil servants.

    Swaziland: Crackdown on striking teachers
  12. News 1 August 2012

    Turkey: EI solidarity with jailed trade unionists

    EI extends its solidarity to the 15 arrested members of the Turkish teacher union, Egitim-Sen, who are still detained after almost 40 days in jail. Among the detainees are Egitim-Sen General Secretary Mehmet Bozgeyik and Egitim-Sen’s Equality Officer, Sakine Esen Yilmaz.

    Turkey: EI solidarity with jailed trade unionists
  13. News 5 July 2012

    Lebanon: teachers demand first salary increase in 10 years

    EI has expressed its support for a salary increase demanded by the Teachers’ Coordination Committee in Lebanon. After an agreement was passed on an improved salary scale for workers in the private sector in February, the Committee carried out strike and protest actions to force the government to also enter...

    Lebanon: teachers demand first salary increase in 10 years
  14. News 3 July 2012

    Turkey: Help free jailed trade unionists now

    EI, together with other Global Unions such as ITUC, ITF and PSI, are launching an online campaign in partnership with LabourStart to condemn governmental anti-union harassment tactics in Turkey. They invite their affiliates, affiliates' members and concerned citizens to take action now on LabourStart and send urgently protest messages to...

    Turkey: Help free jailed trade unionists now
  15. News 28 June 2012

    EI African affiliates condemn actions of Swaziland government against strikers

    Representatives of 19 EI member organisations from Southern Africa, meeting in Johannesburg, condemned in the strongest terms the actions of the Swaziland Government in brutally attacking strikers and imprisoning many of them.

    EI African affiliates condemn actions of Swaziland government against strikers
  16. News 28 June 2012

    Cambodia: National Confederation Union denied recognition

    The Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), one of EI’s national affiliate, has condemned the fact that the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) has again been denied formal government recognition as a trade union confederation. Made up of seven unions and associations, the CCU represents more than 90,000 workers nationwide.

    Cambodia: National Confederation Union denied recognition