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 2 November 2006

    "Stop harassment of trade unions," EI tells the Zimbabwe goverment

    EI issued a message to the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe on 13 October, urging his government to stop harassing trade union leaders and members. EI was refering to the police intervention of World Teachers' Day celebration on 6 October by the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ).

    "Stop harassment of trade unions," EI tells the Zimbabwe goverment
  2. 1 November 2006

    Educate for life!

    Nomvuzo Vilo teaches Grade 6 at Emjalisweni Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. But by her words and deeds, she teaches much more than Grade 6 to her students, their parents and the community.

    Educate for life!
  3. News 5 October 2006

    Ethiopia: arrested teachers released on bail

    The two members of EI affiliate the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) detained since 23 September have been released on bail.

    Ethiopia: arrested teachers released on bail
  4. News 4 October 2006

    Ethiopia: Amnesty worries over jailed teachers

    The global human rights group Amnesty International fears for the safety of two Ethiopian teachers detained "incommunicado".

    Ethiopia: Amnesty worries over jailed teachers
  5. News 4 October 2006

    Mexico: Repression of striking teachers continues

    EI have written to the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox Quesada, calling for him to intervene immediately in order to bring about peaceful negotiations between the government and striking teachers.

    Mexico: Repression of striking teachers continues
  6. News 4 October 2006

    EI’s message of solidarity with the Teachers of Greece

    Education International has written to its Greek affiliates the Greek Primary Teachers Federation (DOE) and Federation of Secondary Teachers of Greece (OLME) in support of their demands for adequate funding for quality education.

    EI’s message of solidarity with the Teachers of Greece
  7. News 3 October 2006

    Lebanese teachers suffered heavy losses in summer of war

    Lebanese teachers’ unions estimate that 25 teachers were among the approximately 1,000 civilians killed in this summer’s attacks by Israeli forces. About 50 schools were completely destroyed and 500 more were severely damaged.

    Lebanese teachers suffered heavy losses in summer of war
  8. News 26 September 2006

    Ethiopia: the persecution of unionised teachers continues

    Two teachers were arrested and detained on 23 September for being members of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA). One of the teachers had already suffered severe injuries, at the hands of security officers, earlier this year.

    Ethiopia: the persecution of unionised teachers continues
  9. News 26 September 2006

    Stop murdering teachers in Colombia!

    EI wrote to the President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, on 14 Sep to condemn the assassination of another three teachers in August this year. That makes a total of 22 teachers murdered in the country since the beginning of 2006.

    Stop murdering teachers in Colombia!
  10. News 22 September 2006

    EI joins protest against anti-union repression in Zimbabwe

    In a strongly-worded letter to the President Robert G. Mugabe, EI demands that the Zimbabwean government respect the trade union right of all workers.

    EI joins protest against anti-union repression in Zimbabwe
  11. News 13 September 2006

    EI urges Ethiopian government to stop harassment of teacher union

    For the second time this year, security forces have disbanded a constitutional meeting of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA). EI, which represents education workers around the world, wrote to the Ethoipian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi telling his government to stop harassing the teacher union.

    EI urges Ethiopian government to stop harassment of teacher union
  12. News 12 September 2006

    International Master Programmes 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 is now open for applications. Two Master prgrammes on Labour and Globalisation for trade unionists are offered in 2007-2008 by the network, formed by the international...

    International Master Programmes for Trade Unionists now open for Application
  13. News 1 September 2006

    Palestinian teachers to strike over unpaid wages

    The General Union for Palestinian Teachers (GUPT), an EI affiliate, has announced that it will start an open-ended strike on 2 Sep, the first day of the school year, over unpaid wages.

    Palestinian teachers to strike over unpaid wages
  14. 1 September 2006

    Education of girls key to AIDS prevention

    It is high time to confront the vulnerability of girls to HIV and AIDS, and to support the crucial role of the education sector in combating the pandemic.

    Education of girls key to AIDS prevention
  15. 1 September 2006

    Ethiopian colleagues have the courage to keep union alive

    On November 9, 2005, Mrs. Mulunesh Abebayehu was arrested, without warning, at the junior secondary school where she teaches and taken to the notorious Kality Prison in Addis Ababa.

    Ethiopian colleagues have the courage to keep union alive