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 28 January 2014

    New court hearings against trade unionists in Turkey

    In March 2012 the Turkish confederation KESK organised a demonstration to protest against the draft Public Services Trade Union law and against proposed changes in the education system.

    New court hearings against trade unionists in Turkey
  2. News 24 January 2014

    Cambodia: Teacher union leader released

    EI is relieved to learn that Mr Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) and of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), was released a few hours after his arrest on 21 January.

    Cambodia: Teacher union leader released
  3. News 24 January 2014

    Haiti: Teachers halt strike after pay rise agreed

    A draft agreement has been signed by teachers' unions and the government’s ad hoc committee resulting in a suspension by teachers of strike action. This follows discussions on 22 and 23 January in which the trade unions negotiated a pay rise with the government which will come into effect in...

    Haiti: Teachers halt strike after pay rise agreed
  4. News 21 January 2014

    Cambodia: EI requests the immediate release of teacher union leader Rong Chhun

    Mr Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA) and of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) was arrested by the police on 21 January while attending a workers’ meeting in Phnom Penh.

    Cambodia: EI requests the immediate release of teacher union leader Rong Chhun
  5. News 14 January 2014

    EI releases major study documenting collective bargaining in the education sector

    Since the financial crisis in 2008, trade unions have faced unprecedented challenges to maintain existing rights and to strengthen collective bargaining provisions. An important new study by Education International provides a valuable insight into the disturbing trends in freedom of association and collective bargaining in the education sector in many...

    EI releases major study documenting collective bargaining in the education sector
  6. News 9 January 2014

    Cambodia: EI condemns violence against striking garment workers

    EI has strongly condemned the continued disproportionate violence perpetrated by Cambodian authorities against striking garment workers. Five workers have been killed, dozens injured and at least 39 arrested. The strike has been halted but demands for an increased minimum wage are maintained.

    Cambodia: EI condemns violence against striking garment workers
  7. News 6 January 2014

    Korea: Union leader freed

    Kim Jeonghun, the president of EI affiliate Korean Teachers’ Union (KTU), has been released. Having been arrested illegally on 22 December 2013, Kim received widespread international support and the warrant for his detention was overruled by a judge, leading to his release on 25 December.

    Korea: Union leader freed
  8. News 24 December 2013

    Korea: Teacher trade unionists detained

    Education International has expressed grave concern at the escalating violence against legitimate trade union organisations in South Korea. Authorities have staged raids in the last few days, including against one of EI's affiliates in the country, the Korean Teachers' Union (KTU).

    Korea: Teacher trade unionists detained
  9. News 13 December 2013

    Germany: Thousands strike for better living and working conditions

    The Berlin branch of the Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft(GEW), one of EI’s national affiliates, organised a hugely successful industrial action on 4-5 December. More than 2,400 teachers and about 150 pupils participated in the strike, demanding improved living and working conditions for education staff.

    Germany: Thousands strike for better living and working conditions
  10. News 12 December 2013

    Kenya: Educators’ voice should be heard, say unions

    The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), two of EI’s national affiliates, have called on the Government to engage in honest social dialogue to ensure quality education in the country.

    Kenya: Educators’ voice should be heard, say unions
  11. News 10 December 2013

    Educators celebrate International Day for Human Rights

    On this date, 10 December, Human Rights Day, EI pays tribute to educators around the world who fight for the right to live and work in dignity. These educators and their trade unions also fight for freedom of expression, assembly and association; the right to bargain collectively; and for all...

    Educators celebrate International Day for Human Rights
  12. News 5 December 2013

    Palestine: EI support for teachers striking over pay dispute

    EI has sent a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, urging his government to meet the demands of Palestinian teachers and education workers by fully implementing the 10 per cent salary increase agreed between the government and the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT) in September.

    Palestine: EI support for teachers striking over pay dispute
  13. News 3 December 2013

    Turkey: Police confront demonstrators

    EI’s affiliate in Turkey, E?itim Sen, has condemned the police crackdown on teachers and demonstrators gathered in Ankara for a protest march demanding quality education on 23 November, on the eve of the national Teachers’ Day.

    Turkey: Police confront demonstrators
  14. News 19 November 2013

    South Korea: Outrage over union’s de-registration

    The President and General Secretary of Education International, Susan Hopgood and Fred van Leeuwen, have told the members of the Environment and Labour Committee of the National Assembly of Korea that the recent de-registration of the Korea Teachers’ and Education Workers’ Union (KTU), one of EI's affiliates in the country,...

    South Korea: Outrage over union’s de-registration
  15. News 14 November 2013

    UK: Strike threat remains in place after ‘provocative’ Education Secretary letter

    Two unions in the UK, representing nine out of 10 teachers, have reaffirmed their commitment to a jointly coordinated campaign, Protect Teachers and Defend Education. This action by the UK’s two largest teachers’ unions, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT),...

    UK: Strike threat remains in place after ‘provocative’ Education Secretary letter
  16. News 12 November 2013

    Syria: School bombing injures students

    This week, a mortar bomb struck an elementary school in the neighbourhood of Al-Zahira in southern Damascus, Syria, causing injuries among its students.

    Syria: School bombing injures students
  17. News 30 October 2013

    UK: University staff to go on strike

    The University and College Union (UCU), one of EI’s national affiliates in the UK, has planned a coordinated strike action on 31 October with UNITE and UNISON to demand fair pay in higher education. Unions are disappointed that employers refused talks to try and avert a walkout, but said they...

    UK: University staff to go on strike
  18. News 28 October 2013

    South Korea: educators demand respect for workers’ rights

    On 24 October, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) was officially deprived of its legal status by the South Korean Govenment. The union had been given a one-month ultimatum to revise its by-laws.

    South Korea: educators demand respect for workers’ rights