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 4 April 2012

    Benin: Violation of education unions’ and members’ rights must cease

    The General Secretary of EI, Fred van Leeuwen, sent a letter of protest to the President of Benin, denouncing “the way in which the government of Benin has been disregarding trade unions and their members rights for some months now.” He also sent a letter of support directly from EI...

    Benin: Violation of education unions’ and members’ rights must cease
  2. News 3 April 2012

    Iran: Abdolreza Ghanbari still facing execution

    Despite huge international mobilization against his proposed execution, the life of Abdolreza Ghanbari is still at risk. The Iranian authorities could proceed with his execution at any time.

    Iran: Abdolreza Ghanbari still facing execution
  3. News 2 April 2012

    Syria: Conflict takes a heavy toll on education

    The continuing conflict in Syria is taking a heavy toll on education, as thousands of Syrian families take their children out of school and flee across the border to seek refuge.

    Syria: Conflict takes a heavy toll on education
  4. News 30 March 2012

    Bahrain: Decision on Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s release deferred

    Following Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s appeal hearing on 2 April, EI has learned that a decision about the release of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) President has been postponed to 2 May.

    Bahrain: Decision on Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s release deferred
  5. News 29 March 2012

    Spain: Workers’ rights under attack

    Spanish unions have joined forces to support the country's largest ever general strike on 29 March. EI members, FETE-UGT, F.E.CC.OO. and FE-STES, are united in declaring that teachers will not stand by as the Government jeopardises basic workers’ rights and social dialogue through its latest labour reform legislation.

    Spain: Workers’ rights under attack
  6. News 27 March 2012

    Dutch Ministry lauds success of EI EFAIDS programme

    In its evaluation of the recently completed EI Education for All/AIDS (EFAIDS) solidarity and development programme, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which funded the programme, praised highly the outstanding impact the of the programme during its six-year duration.

    Dutch Ministry lauds success of EI EFAIDS programme
  7. News 21 March 2012

    Bahrain: Teacher leaders still detained

    After two previous postponements, the Bahraini Supreme Court of Appeal has scheduled a new hearing of the case of Bahraini Teachers’ Association leaders Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila Al Salman on 2 April. Both were arrested in April 2011 after a crackdown by authorities following pro-democracy demonstrations.

    Bahrain: Teacher leaders still detained
  8. News 21 March 2012

    Mali: Teachers faced with violence in the north of the country

    EI is deeply concerned after the recent coup attempt in Mali. The Syndicat national de l’Education et de la Culture (SNEC), its national affiliate, has told EI of the alarming level of violence currently raging through the north of the country, causing the closure of a large number of schools...

    Mali: Teachers faced with violence in the north of the country
  9. News 14 March 2012

    EI expresses its sympathy after a bus crash killed Belgian students

    EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, has sent a condolence letter to EI Belgian affiliates, sending EI’s deepest condolences to school communities directly affected, and particularly to families who have lost a child, sibling or partner, after a devastating bus crash. On 13 March, a bus carrying 52 people crashed...

    EI expresses its sympathy after a bus crash killed Belgian students
  10. 13 March 2012

    Djibouti: Interview with a champion of the independence of teaching unions

    Farah Abdillah Miguil, General Secretary of EI Djibouti affiliate SYNESED (Union of Secondary Teachers), was his union’s delegate to EI’s 6th World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa in July 2011. In this interview, he shares his thoughts as a union leader and champion of human and trade union rights...

    Djibouti: Interview with a champion of the independence of teaching unions
  11. News 8 March 2012

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal to stop Iranian teacher’s execution

    Education International (EI) urgently calls on teachers and human rights activists worldwide to request the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to stay the execution of Prof. Abdolreza Ghanbari, a university lecturer, sentenced to death for “enmity towards God”.

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal to stop Iranian teacher’s execution
  12. News 5 March 2012

    Egypt: Independent trade union leader sentenced to 6 months’ in jail

    Kamal Abbas, a leading figure in the fight to create independent democratic trade unions in Egypt, has been sentenced to six months in prison for the "crime" of insulting a Mubarak-era union officer at the 2011 International Labour Organisation conference.

    Egypt: Independent trade union leader sentenced to 6 months’ in jail
  13. News 5 March 2012

    USA: Stand with Wisconsin

    On 9 March, 2011, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker pushed through a bill stripping unions of their rights. One year onwards, after massive citizen protests, enough signatures have been gathered to force an election to recall Walker.

    USA: Stand with Wisconsin
  14. News 29 February 2012

    European trade union federations back Spanish workers’ demands

    European trade unions are backing Spanish trade union confederations in their campaign against the reform of the labour code in Spain. EI European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) has issued, together with the European Federation of Public Service Unions and the European Transport Federation, a Solidarity...

    European trade union federations back Spanish workers’ demands
  15. News 27 February 2012

    Canada: Standing together against violence in schools

    The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) has published a guide designed to help education staff to prevent and intervene against violence in their workplace.

    Canada: Standing together against violence in schools
  16. News 23 February 2012

    Bahrain: Mahdi Abu Dheeb denied release on bail yet again

    The Bahraini Supreme Court of Appeal has once more turned down Bahrain Teacher Association’s president Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s request for temporary release because of health reasons.

    Bahrain: Mahdi Abu Dheeb denied release on bail yet again