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 5 June 2012

    ILO Conference: EI outraged at employers attack on ILO system

    The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) has impeded the discussion of some of the worst cases of workers’ rights violations at the annual International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference, held in Geneva from 30 May-15 June.

    ILO Conference: EI outraged at employers attack on ILO system
  2. News 31 May 2012

    ILO Conference: Visa denied to EI Executive Board member

    Senen Niño Avendaño, President of the Federación Colombiana de Educadores (FECODE) and a member of the EI Executive Board, together with two other leaders of the Colombian teachers’ union, has been refused an entry visa to Switzerland where they were to participate in the Conference of the International Labour Organisation...

    ILO Conference: Visa denied to EI Executive Board member
  3. News 4 May 2012

    Together preventing third-party violence in schools

    Participants shared good practices at a seminar on how to prevent and mitigate third-party violence in schools. The seminar, organised by EI's European Region, ETUCE, was attended by representatives from both teacher unions and education employers on 26 April in Warsaw, Poland.

    Together preventing third-party violence in schools
  4. News 4 May 2012

    Bahrain: BTA court case postponed for fourth time to 30 May

    EI has learned that the Supreme Criminal Appeals Court has adjourned the case of Mahdi Issa Abu Dheeb and Jalila Al-Salman, from the Bahraini Teachers Association (BTA), to 30 May, and refused to release Mahdi on bail once more. Both were arrested after a crackdown by authorities following pro-democracy demonstrations.

    Bahrain: BTA court case postponed for fourth time to 30 May
  5. News 26 April 2012

    EI pleads with Bahraini government officials to respect human and trade union rights

    In a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Labour, Jameel Humaidan, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen has requested that the dissolution of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) in 2011 be lifted and that its leaders be released...

    EI pleads with Bahraini government officials to respect human and trade union rights
  6. News 24 April 2012

    Join the “Stand 4 Change” Day against bullying on 4 May!

    Consistent with its policy that schools must be safe and secure and education should advance human rights principles by promoting inclusiveness, EI has joined major anti-bullying campaigners in the US to create awareness in schools and communities about bullying and harassment prevention.

    Join the “Stand 4 Change” Day against bullying on 4 May!
  7. News 19 April 2012

    Ivory Coast: teachers' role in reconciliation and reconstruction

    At its 22nd congress held in Yamoussoukro between 1-4 April, the Syndicat National de l’Enseignement Secondaire de Côte D’Ivoire (SYNESCI) elected a new executive board. It also emphasised the crucial role of educators in national reconciliation and reconstruction.

    Ivory Coast: teachers' role in reconciliation and reconstruction
  8. News 11 April 2012

    Botswana: teachers sue government for denying vacations to teachers

    The Botswana Teachers’ Union (BTU), one of EI’s national affiliates, is suing the Ministry of Education (MoE) for denying vacations to teachers’ when schools closed on 30 March. Shortly before schools closed, the MoE wrote to public school educators, notifying them to continue “with their normal duties” after pupils had...

    Botswana: teachers sue government for denying vacations to teachers
  9. News 4 April 2012

    Benin: Violation of education unions’ and members’ rights must cease

    The General Secretary of EI, Fred van Leeuwen, sent a letter of protest to the President of Benin, denouncing “the way in which the government of Benin has been disregarding trade unions and their members rights for some months now.” He also sent a letter of support directly from EI...

    Benin: Violation of education unions’ and members’ rights must cease
  10. News 3 April 2012

    Iran: Abdolreza Ghanbari still facing execution

    Despite huge international mobilization against his proposed execution, the life of Abdolreza Ghanbari is still at risk. The Iranian authorities could proceed with his execution at any time.

    Iran: Abdolreza Ghanbari still facing execution
  11. News 2 April 2012

    Syria: Conflict takes a heavy toll on education

    The continuing conflict in Syria is taking a heavy toll on education, as thousands of Syrian families take their children out of school and flee across the border to seek refuge.

    Syria: Conflict takes a heavy toll on education
  12. News 30 March 2012

    Bahrain: Decision on Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s release deferred

    Following Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s appeal hearing on 2 April, EI has learned that a decision about the release of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) President has been postponed to 2 May.

    Bahrain: Decision on Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s release deferred
  13. News 29 March 2012

    Spain: Workers’ rights under attack

    Spanish unions have joined forces to support the country's largest ever general strike on 29 March. EI members, FETE-UGT, F.E.CC.OO. and FE-STES, are united in declaring that teachers will not stand by as the Government jeopardises basic workers’ rights and social dialogue through its latest labour reform legislation.

    Spain: Workers’ rights under attack
  14. News 27 March 2012

    Dutch Ministry lauds success of EI EFAIDS programme

    In its evaluation of the recently completed EI Education for All/AIDS (EFAIDS) solidarity and development programme, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which funded the programme, praised highly the outstanding impact the of the programme during its six-year duration.

    Dutch Ministry lauds success of EI EFAIDS programme
  15. News 21 March 2012

    Bahrain: Teacher leaders still detained

    After two previous postponements, the Bahraini Supreme Court of Appeal has scheduled a new hearing of the case of Bahraini Teachers’ Association leaders Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila Al Salman on 2 April. Both were arrested in April 2011 after a crackdown by authorities following pro-democracy demonstrations.

    Bahrain: Teacher leaders still detained
  16. News 21 March 2012

    Mali: Teachers faced with violence in the north of the country

    EI is deeply concerned after the recent coup attempt in Mali. The Syndicat national de l’Education et de la Culture (SNEC), its national affiliate, has told EI of the alarming level of violence currently raging through the north of the country, causing the closure of a large number of schools...

    Mali: Teachers faced with violence in the north of the country