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 2019

    The Philippines: Stop governmental harassment of education trade unionists

    In a resolution adopted at its 52th meeting, the Education International Executive Board condemns the government profiling of its member organisation in the Philippines, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and the death threats its leaders have received.

    The Philippines: Stop governmental harassment of education trade unionists
  2. News 3 April 2019

    UK: Scapegoating teachers and other workers will not solve violent crime

    Commenting on the Downing Street Summit on violent crime, the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has reaffirmed that violent crime involving young people is a complex issue which will not be resolved by putting additional pressures and responsibilities on educators.

    UK: Scapegoating teachers and other workers will not solve violent crime
  3. News 28 March 2019

    Costa Rica: EI condemns murder of indigenous leader

    Education International has sent out an urgent action appeal to its affiliates condemning the murder of Sergio Rojas Ortiz, an indigenous peoples’ rights activist.

    Costa Rica: EI condemns murder of indigenous leader
  4. Worlds of Education 20 March 2019

    “Time to shine a bright light on and act in the Philippines”, by David Edwards, Anthony Bellanger, and Ambet Yuson

    Anthony Bellanger, Ambet Yuson, David Edwards

    Democracy is threatened from within in many countries where authoritarian, often populist and nationalist forces have gained ground. Institutions of democracy have been attacked. The Philippines is one such country.

    “Time to shine a bright light on and act in the Philippines”, by David Edwards, Anthony Bellanger, and Ambet Yuson
  5. News 19 March 2019

    Brazil: international solidarity after Suzano school shooting

    After last week’s shooting at a school in Sao Paolo educators worldwide have shared their solidarity and grief with their colleagues, students and families in Brazil.

    Brazil: international solidarity after Suzano school shooting
  6. News 18 March 2019

    Sudan: In solidarity with human rights activists

    As strikes and protests calling for democratic change increase in Sudan, Education International expresses solidarity with the academics and unionists and supports their demands.

    Sudan: In solidarity with human rights activists
  7. News 15 March 2019

    European education union leaders in solidarity with Dutch colleagues

    The Committee of the Education International’s European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education, has called on the public authorities of Netherlands to ensure decent working conditions and salaries for Dutch educators.

    European education union leaders in solidarity with Dutch colleagues
  8. News 14 March 2019

    Stop gender-based violence in the world of work!

    Union women and feminist allies take the campaign for the adoption of an International Labour Organisation’s Convention to the 63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

    Stop gender-based violence in the world of work!
  9. Worlds of Education 13 March 2019

    The #CSW63 Diaries

    Michelle Codrington-Rogers

    Michelle Codrington-Rogers, Junior Vice-President of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)/UK, is currently an EI delegate to the 63rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW63). Follow the event through the eyes of teacher unionist on her blog. (https://mcn--nasuwt.blogspot.com/?m=1)

    The #CSW63 Diaries
  10. News 13 March 2019

    UK: Union deplores weak legal protection of academic freedom

    Following the findings of a major report on academic freedom in the United Kingdom, the University and College Union has submitted an allegation to the Joint International Labour Organisation/UNESCO Committee of Experts regarding the non-compliance of the UK government's with the 1997 UNESCO Recommendation on the status of higher education...

    UK: Union deplores weak legal protection of academic freedom
  11. News 13 March 2019

    Iraq: The region and education system of Kurdistan pass into oblivion

    The Kurdistan Teachers' Union (KTU) issued a distress call about the deplorable situation of teachers in the public education system, which continues to deteriorate in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

    Iraq: The region and education system of Kurdistan pass into oblivion
  12. News 11 March 2019

    Burkina Faso: Unions call for stronger, sustained governmental measures to protect students and teachers from terrorist attacks

    Although they welcome the governmental measures taken following the terrorist attacks against teachers and schools in Burkina Faso, teacher trade unionists call on the public authorities to strengthen and improve these measures so as to be able to provide quality education under safe conditions.

    Burkina Faso: Unions call for stronger, sustained governmental measures to protect students and teachers from terrorist attacks
  13. Worlds of Education 8 March 2019

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices: “The Political Participation of Women and Their Prominent Role in Brazil’s Trade Union Movement”, by Fátima da Silva.

    Fátima da Silva

    Until recently, women in Latin America had achieved unprecedented levels of political participation with the election of women presidents in several countries in the region. Dilma Rousseff (2011–2016), Cristina Kirchner (2007–2015) and Michelle Bachelet (2006–2010 and 2014–2018) all served two terms as elected presidents in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, respectively....

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices: “The Political Participation of Women and Their Prominent Role in Brazil’s Trade Union Movement”, by Fátima da Silva.
  14. News 6 March 2019

    Education unions join in solidarity with Turkish teachers

    Education trade unionists from around the world meet in Ankara on 6 and 7 March for the “Education Trade Unions, Rights, Freedoms and Governments International Symposium”, in solidarity with embattled Turkish education unionists struggling for the respect of their rights, their profession and for education as a whole.

    Education unions join in solidarity with Turkish teachers
  15. Worlds of Education 6 March 2019

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices : “It All Starts With Good Teachers: Women’s Leadership in Education & in Unions”, by Johanna Jaara Åstrand

    Johanna Jaara Åstrand

    When I first joined the union, what attracted me was not so much the suggestion that the union was there to protect me if something should happen to me in my professional life. My motivation was more that the union was a place where I could make things happen together...

    #IWD2019 #Education Voices : “It All Starts With Good Teachers: Women’s Leadership in Education & in Unions”, by Johanna Jaara Åstrand