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 8 March 2023

    Central African Republic: the government must respect the right to strike and respond to union demands through dialogue

    Education International condemns the threats against the leaders of the Central African education unions who have filed a strike notice via a union platform. Threats were also made against non-unionised teachers who joined this action. It urges the competent authorities to engage in negotiations to provide real answers to the...

    Central African Republic: the government must respect the right to strike and respond to union demands through dialogue
  2. News 17 February 2023

    Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!

    Education International denounces the continuous attacks on trade union leaders in Eswatini and condemns the targeting of Mbongwa Dlamini, President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), a member organisation of Education International.

    Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!
  3. News 17 February 2023

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education

    Many development cooperation (DC) partners participated in the Education International (EI) Café at the EI Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure (ACCRS). They received information on recent challenges and progress of education unions in the region.

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education
  4. News 16 February 2023

    Philippines: Educators submit recommendations to ILO to ensure the protection of trade union rights

    Education International (EI) has welcomed the recent International Labour Organization High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO HLTM) to the Philippines. This mission is the result of longstanding advocacy by human and trade union activists in this country, and EI national member organisations – the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the Federation...

    Philippines: Educators submit recommendations to ILO to ensure the protection of trade union rights
  5. News 13 February 2023

    Social and policy dialogue, a key to union renewal?

    Education International member organisation Union of Education Norway is exploring new ways of structuring development cooperation (DC) projects and ensuring that the educators’ voice is heard when decisions are made concerning educational issues and the teaching profession.

    Social and policy dialogue, a key to union renewal?
  6. News 9 February 2023

    Uruguay: Trade unions denounce espionage of teachers and students

    Fenapes, an education union affiliated to Education International, has denounced the practice of spying on union members and school pupils, as revealed by an investigative journalism report.

    Uruguay: Trade unions denounce espionage of teachers and students
  7. Take action! 8 February 2023

    Global Action Day in support of teachers and workers in Iran

    On 8 February, Education International joins trade unions all over the world for a Global Action Day in support of Iranian teachers and workers in their struggle for decent working conditions, union rights, democracy and freedom. Education International calls on its member organisations to show solidarity with the labour and...

    Global Action Day in support of teachers and workers in Iran
  8. News 2 February 2023

    Tanzania Teachers Union leadership appointments sparked concerns

    The Republic of Tanzania authorities have responded to concerns raised by Education International and have reevaluated their previous appointments of senior education union officials. The appointments in question involved Lucas Ulaya, Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU) President, and Maganga Japhet, TTU Secretary General, who had been unilaterally assigned to the positions...

    Tanzania Teachers Union leadership appointments sparked concerns
  9. Take action! 1 February 2023

    Myanmar : Global Action Day and solidarity for the return of democracy

    On the second anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, Education International (EI) joined the Global Day of Action called by the Confederation of Trade Unions, Myanmar (CTUM) to demand for the formal diplomatic recognition of the National Unity Government (NUG) as the legitimate representatives of the people of Myanmar,...

    Myanmar : Global Action Day and solidarity for the return of democracy
  10. News 31 January 2023

    UK: Educators deserve a pay rise now!

    Education International and member organisations fully support the National Education Union (NEU), organising a one-day strike in England and Wales on February 1st to demand a fully funded, above inflation pay rise for educators.

    UK: Educators deserve a pay rise now!
  11. News 31 January 2023

    Israel/Palestine: Educators planting the seeds of hope

    During a four-day solidarity mission to Israel and Palestine, elected leaders of Education International (EI) and the US National Education Association (NEA) leaders met with governmental authorities, trade union activists, UN agencies and teachers. They also welcomed the agreement on the timely payment and increase of Palestinian educators’ salaries.

    Israel/Palestine: Educators planting the seeds of hope
  12. News 23 January 2023

    Morocco: unions and government sign agreement on unified status for teachers

    Social dialogue has led to the signing of an agreement between the Moroccan government and education unions on issues such as a unified employment status for national education employees. This new status will replace all pre-existing employment arrangements, which means a fresh start for all, contract teachers included, based on...

    Morocco: unions and government sign agreement on unified status for teachers
  13. News 23 January 2023

    Education unionists take stock of development cooperation in Asia-Pacific

    During a Development Cooperation (DC) Café on Asia-Pacific held on 12 January, DC partners learnt about the accomplishments in the region in partnership with member organisations. Anand Singh, Director of the Education International Asia-Pacific (EIAP) regional office, reported on priorities and challenges faced by the region as well as activities...

    Education unionists take stock of development cooperation in Asia-Pacific
  14. News 11 January 2023

    Nepal: Education unions agree to social dialogue with local governments

    After 8 months of campaigning, from 29-31 December 2022, Education International’s member organisations in Nepal – the Nepal National Teachers Association (NNTA), the Nepal Teachers Association (NTA) and the Institutional Schools' Teachers' Union (ISTU) – reached three separate agreements establishing mechanisms for social dialogue with the four Nepali local governmental...

    Nepal: Education unions agree to social dialogue with local governments
  15. News 21 December 2022

    Belarus: Education International denounces the political trials against union leaders

    Education International stands in solidarity with union leaders targeted in Belarus for their trade union activities and the anti-war stance taken by their organisation, the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Belarus: Education International denounces the political trials against union leaders
  16. News 19 December 2022

    Ethiopia: Education union’s plea for peace

    During the Tigray war in Northern Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) condemned the damage and disruption inflicted on students, teachers and the education system. They called on relevant public authorities to put an immediate halt to the armed conflict, and highlighted the role of peace education in bringing about...

    Ethiopia: Education union’s plea for peace