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 12 February 2007

    Teachers Matter: New Report on HIV in Kenya

    A new study conducted by the Population Council/Horizons Programme finds that teachers are being neglected by initiatives to prevent the spread of HIV and recommends further action to train and provide services to teachers on HIV prevention, care and support and the reduction of stigma.

    Teachers Matter: New Report on HIV in Kenya
  2. News 8 February 2007

    International Master Programmes on Labour and Globalisation for Trade Unionists now open for Application

    As part of the Global Labour University network, EI would like to inform its members that the next academic year of Global Labour University (GLU) is now open for applications. Two Master prgrammes on Labour and Globalisation for trade unionists are offered in 2008-2009 by the network, formed by the...

    International Master Programmes on Labour and Globalisation for Trade Unionists now open for Application
  3. News 7 February 2007

    ASEAN Trade Union Rights Workshop received region-wide support

    A Trade Union Rights Workshop which was held from 14-16 Jan 2007 for EI member organisations from the Southeast Asian region received widespread support from participants from all corners of the region.

    ASEAN Trade Union Rights Workshop received region-wide support
  4. News 30 January 2007

    EI welcomes launch of European Year of Equal Opportunities for All

    On 30 and 31 January 2007 in Berlin, 450 delegates from across Europe will attend the first ever European Equality summit to mark 2007 as European Year of Equal Opportunities as designated by the European Commission.

    EI welcomes launch of European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
  5. News 24 January 2007

    World Economic Forum: the International Trade Union movement challenges Business leaders on Corporate Responsibility

    A delegation of 12 international trade union leaders at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos this week will be calling companies to account on corporate taxation, the role of private equity investment and the social and environmental responsibilities of business.

    World Economic Forum: the International Trade Union movement challenges Business leaders on Corporate Responsibility
  6. News 23 January 2007

    Guinea: EI condemns killing of demonstrators

    EI joins the call of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in condemning the recent killing of civilians and detention of top union leaders by the Guinean government.

    Guinea: EI condemns killing of demonstrators
  7. News 19 January 2007

    Cambodian unionists do not forget the murder of their leader three years ago

    EI's affiliate in Cambodia, the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association (CITA), and the Cambodia trade union centre (FTUWKC, Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia) will mark the third anniversary of the murder of Chea Vichea, the President of the Cambodia trade union centre. He was gunned down...

    Cambodian unionists do not forget the murder of their leader three years ago
  8. News 17 January 2007

    Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update

    Below is an update regarding the Urgent Action Appeal launched on 4 January on behalf of elected union officers of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA). Your solidarity is still indispensable as the ETA officers in detention continue to be subjected to torture!

    Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
  9. News 9 January 2007

    Ethiopia: Amnesty International adopts detained ETA officials as prisoners of conscience

    Education International is happy to have the support of Amnesty International in its appeal for the release of ETA officials. An urgent action appeal was launched on 4 Jan for the release of Tilahun Ayalew, Anteneh Getnet and Meqcha Mengistu, who are prominent members of EI's affiliate, the Ethiopian Teacher...

    Ethiopia: Amnesty International adopts detained ETA officials as prisoners of conscience
  10. News 5 January 2007

    Pakistan: Sindh High Court ruled that the ban on teacher unions is illegal

    On 12 Dec 2006, the High Court of the Sindh province in Pakistan ruled in favour of the Sindh Primary Teachers' Association in a case against the provincial government's ban on all activities carried out by teacher unions. The Court declared the government's ban "unlawful and of no legal effect".

    Pakistan: Sindh High Court ruled that the ban on teacher unions is illegal
  11. News 4 January 2007

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia

    An urgent action appeal is launched on 4 January by EI, which calls on all member organisations and partners to support the elected union officers of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA).

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia
  12. 1 January 2007

    Successful South-South cooperation

    The teaching profession in Africa has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. One of the most seriously affected countries in French-speaking Africa is Ivory Coast.

    Successful South-South cooperation
  13. News 21 December 2006

    Ethiopia: EI fears for the safety of two activist teachers

    Education International has been alerted by its affiliate, the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA) that two colleagues, Tilahun Ayalew and Meqcha Mengistu, are missing.

    Ethiopia: EI fears for the safety of two activist teachers
  14. News 7 December 2006

    EI strongly condemns the unlawful military takeover in Fiji

    Education International strongly condemns the unlawful military takeover in Fiji. "This unconstitutional move precludes the hopes for democracy and again throws the country into social turmoil," said the General Secretary of Education International, Fred van Leeuwen.

    EI strongly condemns the unlawful military takeover in Fiji
  15. News 5 December 2006

    Kenya: Education minister thanks UASU for calling off strike

    A six-week strike by university lecturers has been called off by their union, EI affiliate the University Academic staff Union (UASU), to pave way for negotiations.

    Kenya: Education minister thanks UASU for calling off strike
  16. News 1 December 2006

    HIV and AIDS: Teachers educate for life!

    On World AIDS Day and all year round, teachers are working to prevent new cases of HIV and AIDS and to halt the spread of the global pandemic, which has already killed more than 20 million people, including tens of thousands of teachers, and has orphaned at least 14 million...

    HIV and AIDS: Teachers educate for life!
  17. News 30 November 2006

    Australia: Trade unions unite on national day of protest

    Teachers will join workers from all other sectors across Australia today in the national day of protest against radical industrial relations reforms imposed by the government of Prime Minister John Howard.

    Australia: Trade unions unite on national day of protest
  18. News 22 November 2006

    Good News in ETA's Long Legal Struggle

    EI is very pleased to report news today from Ethiopia Teachers’ Association General Secretary Gemoraw Kassa that the registrar’s office of the Federal Supreme Court has informed the ETA that the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court on November 20 is in favour of the authentic ETA.

    Good News in ETA's Long Legal Struggle