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 2016

    Honduras: Prominent human rights defender murdered

    The global education trade union movement has firmly condemned the murder of environmentalist and human rights defender Berta Caceres.

    Honduras: Prominent human rights defender murdered
  2. News 25 February 2016

    South African students take HIV/AIDS education programme to the US

    Students from a Cape Town high school are heading to California as part of an ongoing joint initiative of South African and American teachers’ unions to bring HIV/AIDS education into the classroom.

    South African students take HIV/AIDS education programme to the US
  3. News 24 February 2016

    Haiti: political violence claims academic’s life

    The killing of a teacher unionist has exposed the deteriorating political situation in Haiti where the country was left to linger in constitutional limbo following the resignation of President Michel Martelly.

    Haiti: political violence claims academic’s life
  4. News 18 February 2016

    Djibouti: teacher unionist released from prison after global support

    Teacher unionist and human rights defender Omar Ali Ewado is once again a free man after he was released from prison on 14 February following an appeals court decision that dismissed charges against him.

    Djibouti: teacher unionist released from prison after global support
  5. News 15 February 2016

    Italian researcher’s death in Egypt spurs calls for inquiry

    Teachers’ unions in Italy are urging Egyptian authorities to launch a full investigation into the death of Giulio Regeni, who was murdered while publishing articles on trade union rights, and who’s death remains a mystery.

    Italian researcher’s death in Egypt spurs calls for inquiry
  6. News 10 February 2016

    Teachers in Bermuda and Mongolia score big court victories

    Amid an increasingly anti-union climate around the world, two Education International affiliates, from Bermuda and Mongolia, have recently won significant court victories in defense of their rights.

    Teachers in Bermuda and Mongolia score big court victories
  7. News 9 February 2016

    Refugee teachers face threat of losing basic rights

    As the refugee crisis continues to take its toll on migrants’ lives, policies that would exclude them from national working conditions, such as paying less than minimum wage, may push them further into exclusion.

    Refugee teachers face threat of losing basic rights
  8. News 18 January 2016

    New ITUC report exposes hidden workforce of 116 million in global supply chains

    The global supply chains of 50 companies employ only six percent of people in direct employment, yet rely on a hidden workforce of 94 percent according to new research from the International Trade Union Confederation.

    New ITUC report exposes hidden workforce of 116 million in global supply chains
  9. News 17 December 2015

    Senegal: Unions defend right to strike in face of MP’s criticism

    The Teachers’ Union of Senegal has struck back in response to a national parliamentarian’s call to implement repressive measures aimed at discouraging teachers and other education workers from striking.

    Senegal: Unions defend right to strike in face of MP’s criticism
  10. News 14 December 2015

    Iran: Detained teacher unionist on hunger strike

    Education International (EI) has launched a LabourStart appeal for Iranian teacher unionist Mahmoud Beheshti Langroodi who has been on hunger strike since 26 November to protest against his unfair trial and subsequent nine-year prison sentence.

    Iran: Detained teacher unionist on hunger strike
  11. News 9 December 2015

    Education International affiliates celebrate Human Rights Day with Nobel Prize

    The importance of trade unions in achieving human rights is evident for all to see today as the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to the Tunisian National Quartet, which includes five Education International affiliates.

    Education International affiliates celebrate Human Rights Day with Nobel Prize
  12. News 30 November 2015

    South Korean trade unions mobilise against government attacks

    Trade unions from across the country are banding together in a call for peaceful mass demonstrations after the government cracked down on a labour law protest rally in November, resulting in major arrests and injuries.

    South Korean trade unions mobilise against government attacks