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. Worlds of Education 19 May 2020

    “In Africa, making use of the Ebola epidemic experience to combat coronavirus”, by Kadiatou Bah and Salifou Camara.

    Salifou Camara, Kadiatou Bah

    Guineans have drawn lessons from Ebola, which has killed more than 2,500 people in our country. The country had neglected the disease when the first cases began in 2013 in a forest region around 900 kilometers from the capital. The first victims were not isolated, which encouraged contamination until an...

    “In Africa, making use of the Ebola epidemic experience to combat coronavirus”, by Kadiatou Bah and Salifou Camara.
  2. News 19 May 2020

    South Africa: The safety of educators and students is of serious concern in the reopening of schools and colleges

    The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has expressed grave concern at government plans to reopen schools and education institutions on 1 June. Urging the government to prioritise safety, the union has compiled preconditions and non-negotiable items to be met before any educators resume on-site teaching.

    South Africa: The safety of educators and students is of serious concern in the reopening of schools and colleges
  3. News 19 May 2020

    Finding Hope: Children’s book launched to provide children with hope

    A new children’s book that aims to change the narrative around COVID-19 has been launched. “Hope, Where Are You?” also gives children and families hope during these times of the pandemic and school closures.

    Finding Hope: Children’s book launched to provide children with hope
  4. News 18 May 2020

    Iraq: Education union fights for payment of educators’ salaries

    Education International firmly supports educators in Iraqi Kurdistan struggling to get salaries paid and condemns the brutal crackdown on their peaceful demonstrations by security forces.

    Iraq: Education union fights for payment of educators’ salaries
  5. News 15 May 2020

    France: Teacher unions insist on health guarantees for students and their teachers for the reopening of education facilities

    French teachers have reacted to the government’s announcement of the relaxation of the lockdown and reopening of school facilities from 11 May, asking the public authorities for an assurance that the school year will be restarted with face-to-face education and full health safety measures to prevent the propagation of COVID-19...

    France: Teacher unions insist on health guarantees for students and their teachers for the reopening of education facilities
  6. News 12 May 2020

    Vanuatu: Teacher union steps up relief efforts to communities amidst COVID-19 and natural disasters

    Confronted with three major crises - COVID-19, a tropical cyclone, and a volcanic eruption - Vanuatu’s education union is doing their best to ensure the health and safety of educators, students, and their communities. They do this by continuing to provide education of the best possible quality and bringing relief...

    Vanuatu: Teacher union steps up relief efforts to communities amidst COVID-19 and natural disasters
  7. News 11 May 2020

    Nepal: Education unionists mobilise during COVID-19 lockdown

    The Nepal Teachers’ Association implemented the ‘Every Home a School’ campaign in response to the closure of education facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also developed proposals to the government on health and safety, social and political issues.

    Nepal: Education unionists mobilise during COVID-19 lockdown
  8. News 11 May 2020

    French-speaking teachers have stood up for quality education following the sudden closure of education establishments

    In a webinar, the French-speaking trade union committee for education and training has stressed that teachers from the French-speaking world, taken by surprise by the forced closures during the COVID-19 epidemic, have shown their inventiveness and adaptability to find ways of best meeting their students’ education needs.

    French-speaking teachers have stood up for quality education following the sudden closure of education establishments
  9. News 8 May 2020

    VE Day, a time for celebration and opportunity – 75 years later

    Today, 8 May, is the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Victory Europe (VE) Day is an important anniversary, but also a moment to reflect on the decades that followed.

    VE Day, a time for celebration and opportunity – 75 years later
  10. News 7 May 2020

    Indonesia: Education unionists take swift action on COVID-19 pandemic

    Since the national outbreak of COVID-19 and the closure of educational sites in Indonesia, members of the teachers’ union, Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia (PGRI), have mobilised at national and local levels. The union aims to ensure the continuity of education, the safety of educators, students and communities, and to reaffirm...

    Indonesia: Education unionists take swift action on COVID-19 pandemic
  11. News 7 May 2020

    Senegal: recovering education at all levels while saving lives

    Members of teacher unions in Senegal want to avoid the current school and university year being left “blank” because of the COVID-19 epidemic. While they acknowledge that distance learning is helping education to continue, they insist on an organised recovery of the academic year at educational facilities with proper safety...

    Senegal: recovering education at all levels while saving lives
  12. News 6 May 2020

    Burkina Faso: Health and safety issues to be addressed before schools reopen

    Teacher unions in Burkina Faso are urging public authorities to ensure that adequate safety measures are in place for students and educators before the reopening of schools scheduled for 11 May. The unions recognise that remote teaching and learning is not happening uniformly throughout the country and cannot replace education...

    Burkina Faso: Health and safety issues to be addressed before schools reopen
  13. News 5 May 2020

    Latin America: Women Education Workers Unite in the Face of Pandemic

    Representatives from the gender, equity and equality units of EI member unions across Latin America were invited by the regional office to participate in a virtual meeting last Wednesday to reflect on the situation of women in general, and women educators in particular, in the time of COVID-19.

    Latin America: Women Education Workers Unite in the Face of Pandemic