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 25 July 2015

    Human rights centre stage at Congress

    The rights of migrant teachers and girls and young women were the focus of two important resolutions passed on 24 July at Education International’s 7th World Congress in Ottawa, Canada.

    Human rights centre stage at Congress
  2. News 10 July 2015

    Indonesia: education union demands payment of teacher profession allowance

    The Teachers' Association of the Republic of Indonesia (PGRI) has asked the Government and local authorities to immediately pay the teacher profession allowance, which has been both reduced and withheld altogether is come circumstances.

    Indonesia: education union demands payment of teacher profession allowance
  3. News 9 July 2015

    Nigeria: Educators killed in a brutal Boko Haram attack

    Twenty-eight primary school teachers were killed after extremists set off a bomb that ripped through a crowded group of civil servants in north-western Nigeria, the latest in a string of deadly attacks this week.

    Nigeria: Educators killed in a brutal Boko Haram attack
  4. News 4 July 2015

    Iranian teacher union leader jailed

    Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, was arrested following his attempt to obtain a visa to attend the 7th Education International World Congress in Ottawa, Canada later this month.

    Iranian teacher union leader jailed
  5. News 2 July 2015

    Canada: the Quebecois union elected its new leadership for trade union renewal

    To close its 41th Congress, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec elected its new Executive Committee tasked with combating austerity measures that are aimed at cutting funding to the province’s education system.

    Canada: the Quebecois union elected its new leadership for trade union renewal
  6. News 30 June 2015

    Ukraine: union protests reach a tipping point

    Thousands of education workers plan to take to the streets in protest in the wake of unresolved labour violations by the Ukrainian government and employers following months of increasing tensions across multiple sectors.

    Ukraine: union protests reach a tipping point
  7. News 17 June 2015

    Bahraini human and trade union rights defenders receive global Award

    Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights to the leaders of its Bahraini affiliate, which acknowledges their struggle for quality education, human and trade union rights.

    Bahraini human and trade union rights defenders receive global Award
  8. News 12 June 2015

    EI says NO to child labour – YES to Quality Education!

    The most recent global estimates suggest that one in ten children between the ages of 5 and 14 is involved in child labour, preventing them from attending school. In Sub Saharan Africa, where the incidence is at its highest, a reported 21% of children are forced to work.

    EI says NO to child labour – YES to Quality Education!