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. 23 March 2009

    Island-mainland: Long distance solidarity among teachers

    The gate to the school yard is covered with ugly graffiti, but the murals in the courtyard depict lovely flowers, colourful tropical scenes, and a map of the island of Martinique, an overseas department of France in the eastern Caribbean. We are at the secondary school of Le Vauclin, where...

    Island-mainland: Long distance solidarity among teachers
  2. 20 March 2009

    Teaching under bombardment

    Sri Lanka has for decades been torn apart by the conflict between the Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tigers. Members of a Tamil education union give personal accounts of life and work in the most dangerous areas of the country. To protect the identity of the teachers who had...

    Teaching under bombardment
  3. 20 March 2009

    Beyond Burma: Lessons in hope for refugee children

    Mae Sot, THAILAND — He has the quiet, professional demeanour of a man who prefers the educational sanctuary of the classroom to the dangers of revolutionary politics. Yet Burmese teacher Htay Hlaing spent nine-years incarcerated in a notorious torture prison in his military-ruled homeland for the so-called “crime” of helping...

    Beyond Burma: Lessons in hope for refugee children
  4. News 16 March 2009

    Put People First: Join the pre-G20 demonstration in London on 28 March!

    On 28 March, thousands will march through London as part of a global campaign to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2 April summit on the global financial crisis. Both EI and the International Trade Union Confederation strong urge their member organisations, and in particular those in the G20 countries,...

    Put People First: Join the pre-G20 demonstration in London on 28 March!
  5. News 12 March 2009

    The killing of teachers in Colombia should stop, says EI.

    A total of three teachers were targets of assassination last February in Colombia. Two of them were killed, and one barely survived. EI voices its strong protest to the authorities, requesting a better protection of teachers facing threats to their lives.

    The killing of teachers in Colombia should stop, says EI.
  6. News 11 March 2009

    EI condemns school shooting in Germany

    EI has issued a statement condemning the shooting which took place on 11 March in Winnenden, Germany.

    EI condemns school shooting in Germany
  7. News 9 March 2009

    Farzad Kamangar: New risks and uncertainties

    EI has been informed that Farzad Kamangar (who was sentenced to death on February 25, 2008 on “absolutely zero evidence” according to his lawyer) has been retransferred from Rajaiee Shahr prison to the section 204 of Tehran’s Evin prison. EI is worried about this last development as the reason of...

    Farzad Kamangar: New risks and uncertainties
  8. News 23 February 2009

    AFT Letter to Hillary Clinton Urges Action on Zimbabwe

    The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has sent a letter from president Randi Weingarten to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing the union's concern over the continuing suffering of the Zimbabwean people and urging U.S. leadership to end the reign of terror and devastation wrought by President Mugabe.

    AFT Letter to Hillary Clinton Urges Action on Zimbabwe
  9. News 18 February 2009

    Teacher unions’ leadership in the HIV and AIDS response

    Education International (EI), Education Development Centre (EDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are pleased to announce the release of their new toolkit ‘Leadership in the HIV and AIDS response: A toolkit for teachers’ unions to promote health and improve education’.

    Teacher unions’ leadership in the HIV and AIDS response
  10. News 17 February 2009

    Iran: Government neglect is pushing teachers to take job action

    EI has written to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asking that a social dialogue begin without delay with the representatives of the Iranian teachers. EI has been in regular communication with the Iranian authorities since 2007, following the crackdown on Iranian teachers who believed implementation of the approved Parity Bill would...

    Iran: Government neglect is pushing teachers to take job action
  11. News 3 February 2009

    Son of Iranian trade unionist released from prison

    Sajad Khaksari has been released from prison in Tehran, but only “on condition.” In other words, he is not really free and clear.

    Son of Iranian trade unionist released from prison
  12. News 30 January 2009

    Iran: Son of teacher trade unionist detained

    Sajad Khaksari, the 25-year-old son of one of Iran’s leading teacher trade unionists, was arrested on 28 January in Tehran and remains in custody.

    Iran: Son of teacher trade unionist detained
  13. News 28 January 2009

    Labour movement proposes solutions in Davos

    Education International will be among the global and national trade unions with a strong message to deliver at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

    Labour movement proposes solutions in Davos
  14. News 22 January 2009

    African Unions Share EFAIDS Vision at Joint Workshop

    Representatives of teacher unions from 24 countries across Africa met in Accra, Ghana during the first week of December to attend the annual EI EFAIDS evaluation and planning workshop.

    African Unions Share EFAIDS Vision at Joint Workshop
  15. News 22 January 2009

    Dutch Schools Go Artistic for World AIDS Day

    Dutch unions AOb and CNV Onderwijs, the EFAIDS partners in the Netherlands, got creative with their plans for World AIDS Day 2008. The education unions coordinated Art for AIDS workshops in a number of schools.

    Dutch Schools Go Artistic for World AIDS Day
  16. 19 January 2009

    Finns work for safe schools

    “When I first heard the terrible news from Kauhajoki I was shocked: Not again!” said Erkki Kangasniemi, President of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ).

    Finns work for safe schools