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 19 September 2017

    Burkina Faso: 69th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

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

    Burkina Faso: 69th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  2. News 15 September 2017

    Swiss Education Day focuses on educators’ health

    On the occasion of the Swiss Education Day, teachers’ unions demanded that efforts be made by employers to improve their health protection, with the slogan “Healthy Schools - Good Schools.”

    Swiss Education Day focuses on educators’ health
  3. News 13 September 2017

    African teacher unions plan strategies to ensure refugees’ education

    Education International’s General Secretary has reaffirmed the need for education unions, in Africa and the world over, to continue efforts towards the achievement of the refugees’ right to access quality education.

    African teacher unions plan strategies to ensure refugees’ education
  4. News 13 September 2017

    Niger: unions challenge the government’s teacher evaluation

    While Niger’s education unions are not opposed to teacher evaluation, they are criticising the Minister’s failure to listen to their advice concerning the form the tests should take and the consequences facing teachers’ careers.

    Niger: unions challenge the government’s teacher evaluation
  5. News 1 September 2017

    UK: education unions merge to form new organisation

    The creation of a new education has become a reality in the UK following the amalgamation of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Union of Teachers, creating the National Education Union.

    UK: education unions merge to form new organisation
  6. News 24 August 2017

    Iran: Support needed to free unjustly imprisoned trade unionists

    Together with the International Transport Workers' Federation, Education International has launched a LabourStart global solidarity campaign to seek the immediate and unconditional release of jailed trade unionists Reza Shahabi and Esmail Abdi.

    Iran: Support needed to free unjustly imprisoned trade unionists
  7. News 20 August 2017

    Filipino colleagues and students receive a wave of education union solidarity

    Teacher unions globally have condemned continuing attacks against Lumad schools, teachers, students and communities in the Philippines, a show of solidarity which comes after a call to action from Education International.

    Filipino colleagues and students receive a wave of education union solidarity
  8. Worlds of Education 9 August 2017

    Do not turn teachers into spies!

    Recently the European Bangladesh Forum invited me to participate in a debate on violent extremism. At stake was the question: How to prevent violent extremism?

    Do not turn teachers into spies!
  9. News 9 August 2017

    Cyprus: 68th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Cyprus to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Cyprus: 68th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  10. News 4 August 2017

    Turkey: Threat of curriculum manipulation to replace science with Islamic worldview

    Secularism – the division between state and religious institutions –, a historic value of the Turkish political system, is being undermined by changes to the country’s school curriculum, which propose to oust the scientific theory of evolution in favour of an Islamic worldview.

    Turkey: Threat of curriculum manipulation to replace science with Islamic worldview
  11. Worlds of Education 2 August 2017

    A Long Way to Go: An Analysis of Inclusive Education for Disabled Girls Globally

    Tania Principe

    Disabled girls are among the most marginalised and poorly educated groups in the world. They have not been a priority in international development, education, or arguably, disability organisations.

    A Long Way to Go: An Analysis of Inclusive Education for Disabled Girls Globally