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 26 June 2018

    Fighting racism with the light of learning, by Glen Hansman

    Glen Hansman

    Canadian teachers, like our colleagues worldwide, are united in a desire to make the world a better place by confronting social injustices such as racism. In our troubled times, disturbing signs of a resurgent neo-Nazi, white supremacist movement have got teachers across North America talking about how best to confront...

    Fighting racism with the light of learning, by Glen Hansman
  2. News 20 June 2018

    ILO Director General denounces “New Brutalism”

    “We have entered an age of new brutalism,” ILO Director General Guy Ryder told delegates of the 5th World Congress of UNI in Liverpool on 19 June. “We have entered an age where it is OK to dehumanize those who are rejected, who are marginalized, who are different or who...

    ILO Director General denounces “New Brutalism”
  3. Worlds of Education 6 June 2018

    Why it’s important to have a voice at the International Labour Conference, by Roberto Trochez Bardales

    Roberto Trochez Bardales

    I would like to thank Education International for giving Colprosumah the opportunity to participate in the 107th Session of the International Labour Conference at the ILO in Geneva, Switzerland on behalf of this global teachers’ federation of which we are proudly members. Our participation focused on denouncing the inequalities and...

    Why it’s important to have a voice at the International Labour Conference, by Roberto Trochez Bardales
  4. News 5 June 2018

    ILC 2018: EI makes the case for ensuring quality, non-discriminatory and non-violent work environments

    At this year’s International Labour Conference, Education International has reaffirmed the need for providing all workers, in particular, those in education, with respectful work places that ensure equality and non-discrimination, as well as social dialogue, in order to achieve quality education for all.

    ILC 2018: EI makes the case for ensuring quality, non-discriminatory and non-violent work environments
  5. News 28 May 2018

    Iraq: Teachers’ salary cuts limited

    Kurdistan’s education trade union was successful in easing drastic salary cuts planned for teachers.

    Iraq: Teachers’ salary cuts limited
  6. News 24 May 2018

    Iran: Campaign to free jailed teacher unionists gathers pace

    Education International has called for the release of Iranian teacher unionists Mohammad Habibi and Esmail Abdi, while global human rights organisation Amnesty International has also called for Abdi’s release as a prisoner of conscience.

    Iran: Campaign to free jailed teacher unionists gathers pace
  7. Declaration on the rights and status of Education Support Personnel

    A declaration adopted at Education International’s first ever Conference on Education Support Personnel, from 15th to 16th May 2018 in Brussels
    16 May 2018

    Education International proclaims this declaration on the rights and status of education support personnel, calling for its application worldwide. In doing so, we reaffirm and defend education as a human right and public good, guaranteed by the state. This declaration builds on EI policy and should be read in the...

    Declaration on the rights and status of Education Support Personnel
  8. News 20 April 2018

    United Kingdom: 74th state to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by the United Kingdom to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, committing itself to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of violent conflict.

    United Kingdom: 74th state to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  9. News 18 April 2018

    Iran: Teacher unionist Mohamed Habibi released

    While welcoming the 15 April release on bail of Iranian educator unionist Mohammad Habibi after 44 days of detention, Education International urges the Iranian authorities to set jailed trade unionists free.

    Iran: Teacher unionist Mohamed Habibi released
  10. News 11 April 2018

    Education unions mobilise to reinforce Brazilian democracy

    Education International took part in a solidarity rally for Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on 11 April.

    Education unions mobilise to reinforce Brazilian democracy
  11. News 6 April 2018

    Education International urges Brazil to revert to ‘beacon of democracy’

    In the light of violence that culminated in the murder of Brazilian politician and city councilor Marielle Franco in Rio de Janeiro on 14 March, and with the judicial and media persecution of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Education International has urged President Temer to ensure the respect...

    Education International urges Brazil to revert to ‘beacon of democracy’