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 27 June 2013

    UK: Education unions’ joint strike rallies

    The NASUWT and the NUT, two of EI’s national affiliates in the UK, are taking joint action as part of their campaign to protect teachers and education. The educators’ unions are in dispute with the Government over teachers’ pay, pensions and working conditions. Tens of thousands of teachers in the...

    UK: Education unions’ joint strike rallies
  2. News 24 June 2013

    South Korea: International actions in support of education support workers

    Teacher unionists in the US organised a protest in front of the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. The move was in support of the South Korean education support workers union (KPTU-EdSol). A massive rally is planned for 22 June, in which tens of thousands of Korean workers are expected to...

    South Korea: International actions in support of education support workers
  3. News 21 June 2013

    Turkey: International solidarity to be shown during days of action

    EI and the Global Unions have expressed their unreserved support to the international solidarity actions to be held on 21-22 June to defend fundamental human rights and democracy in Turkey.

    Turkey: International solidarity to be shown during days of action
  4. News 14 June 2013

    EI demands decent work and social dialogue for educators

    EI Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst, in a speech to the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on 13 June, urged the ILO to guarantee decent work and social dialogue for teachers worldwide. She highlighted that this would contribute achieving quality education for all.

    EI demands decent work and social dialogue for educators
  5. News 12 June 2013

    EI warns ILO conference of deprofessionalisation trend

    Speaking on behalf of the Workers’ Group at the ILO Conference Committee on the Application of Standards on June 7, Antonia Wulff, from Education International, warned of global trends leading to the deprofessionalisation of the teaching profession.

    EI warns ILO conference of deprofessionalisation trend
  6. News 11 June 2013

    ILO examines collective bargaining in the public services

    “EI welcomes the useful and clear reaffirmation of the right to collective bargaining for public sector teachers, whether or not they are appointed as civil servants, by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations,” has stated EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen...

    ILO examines collective bargaining in the public services
  7. News 10 June 2013

    EI calls for reverse of negative trend around workers’ rights

    On 6-7 June, EI participated in the presentation of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) Survey on Collective Bargaining in the Public Services. Various speakers stressed the need for ILO Conventions 151 and 154 to be widely ratified and implemented. Workers also requested a four-year action plan by the ILO to...

    EI calls for reverse of negative trend around workers’ rights
  8. News 10 June 2013

    Honduras: ILO will send mission to examine trade union rights

    The Honduran government has accepted a direct contacts mission from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), following a recommendation from the ILO workers’ group, supported by employers. Honduras was the first case examined by the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards this year because of the persistent and serious nature...

    Honduras: ILO will send mission to examine trade union rights
  9. News 13 May 2013

    Canada: Teachers’ survey flags scarce resources on human rights education

    Teachers across Canada have identified a pressing need for more human rights’ tools and resources - especially when teaching younger children. This is according to a national survey by EI’s affiliate, the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF), and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR).

    Canada: Teachers’ survey flags scarce resources on human rights education
  10. News 29 April 2013

    Education Minister and Teachers Organisations of Honduras must resume dialogue

    The Education Minister and the teachers organisations of Honduras should as soon as possible resume discussions on the future of the Honduran public school system. Their dialogue should be based on mutual respect and should aim at improving quality education for all children. This was the message conveyed by EI...

    Education Minister and Teachers Organisations of Honduras must resume dialogue
  11. News 12 April 2013

    Turkey: High court releases trade unionists

    EI has welcomed the release on bail of 22 trade unionists, after 289 days in jail. Among the released are Mehmet Bozgeyik and Sakine Eren Y?lmaz, respectively General Secretary and Women’s Secretary of Egitim Sen, EI’s national affiliate.

    Turkey: High court releases trade unionists
  12. News 10 April 2013

    Join teacher unions initiatives against bullying and discrimination in school

    In Canada, teacher unions celebrated the Day of Pink on 10 April, the International Day against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia and Transphobia in schools. On 3 May, a US initiative, supported by the American Federation of Teachers, “Stand4Change” will also invite school communities throughout the world to take a firm stand...

    Join teacher unions initiatives against bullying and discrimination in school
  13. News 3 April 2013

    Pakistan: We stand with the children and teachers!

    The United Nations Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, Education International and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are demanding of the authorities in Pakistan that they enable girls to go to schools which are safe and secure.

    Pakistan: We stand with the children and teachers!
  14. News 3 April 2013

    USA: Educator unions reject guns in schools

    EI’s national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), have strongly rejected the conclusions of a report released by the National Rifle Association (NRA) task force.

    USA: Educator unions reject guns in schools
  15. News 30 March 2013

    Pakistan: Remembering murdered teachers

    Education International will organize a memorial for the teachers who have been murdered in Pakistan recently. EI will also establish a girls’ scholarship fund to promote girls’ education and to support teachers and students victimised because of their support for girls schooling.

    Pakistan: Remembering murdered teachers
  16. News 30 March 2013

    Pakistan: Attacks on schools and teachers now occurring daily

    A head teacher was murdered this morning in Pakistan - and three school children are fighting for their lives with another three badly injured - after the latest attack on a school and on the right of girls to education.

    Pakistan: Attacks on schools and teachers now occurring daily