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 14 October 2011

    Bahrain: Union leader moved to Jaw prison

    Education International has been informed that the Bahraini Teachers Association's (BTA) president, Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb (49 years of age) has been transferred to Jaw prison, Bahrain’s only men's prison, on October 12.

    Bahrain: Union leader moved to Jaw prison
  2. News 10 October 2011

    Bahrain: UN concerned about court sentences for teacher leaders

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced concern at the harsh sentences handed down by a military court to the two leaders of the EI Bahraini teacher association, 20 medical staff and at least 32 other individuals.

    Bahrain: UN concerned about court sentences for teacher leaders
  3. News 29 September 2011

    Egypt: Teachers suspend strike for one week

    Thousands of Egyptian teachers who have been protesting for one week outside the Cabinet building in Cairo have agreed to suspend strike action to give the government time to respond to their demand for the Minister of Education to step down.

    Egypt: Teachers suspend strike for one week
  4. News 26 September 2011

    Bahrain: EI demands release of teacher leader on hunger strike

    Education International has joined other trade unions and human rights groups to demand that the authorities in Bahrain release the leaders of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) from prison. The BTA President, Mahdi Abu Dheeb, and Vice President, Jalila al-Salman, were sentenced to ten and three years’ imprisonment on 25...

    Bahrain: EI demands release of teacher leader on hunger strike
  5. News 23 September 2011

    Fiji: Independent trade unionism in danger

    EI remains deeply concerned about the continued violation of international labour standards that are directly impacting on its affiliates, the Fijian Teachers’ Association (FTA) and the Fiji Teachers’ Union (FTU), as well as the repression of the entire labour movement in Fiji.

    Fiji: Independent trade unionism in danger
  6. News 23 September 2011

    Mexico: Teachers strike against threats and extortion

    Thousands of school teachers in Acapulco, Mexico, have taken part in a series of strikes to condemn the on-going threats of violence, extortion, robbery and kidnapping which they have been subjected to in recent months.

    Mexico: Teachers strike against threats and extortion
  7. News 20 September 2011

    Massive Euro-demonstration in Poland

    More than 50,000 people took to the streets in Wroclaw, Poland, on 17 September to demand greater European solidarity and employment.

    Massive Euro-demonstration in Poland
  8. News 7 September 2011

    Swaziland: Unions demand democracy now

    Teacher trade unionists across the globe have found little to cheer about Swaziland as it marks its Independence Day, on 6 September, with a litany of attacks on basic freedom and workers' rights.

    Swaziland: Unions demand democracy now
  9. News 23 August 2011

    Chile mobilises for Public Education

    In recent months, Chilean civil society has organised en masse to defend the right to public education for all.

    Chile mobilises for Public Education
  10. News 11 August 2011

    Bahrain: EI calls for detained teachers to be released

    Education International has issued a new appeal to Bahraini authorities to release Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, Vice-President and President of the Bahraini Teachers Association (BTA) arrested along with several other board members of the BTA. Education International (EI) issued a first Urgent Action Appeal in April...

    Bahrain: EI calls for detained teachers to be released
  11. News 8 August 2011

    Bahrain: EI demands release of detained teachers

    EI and Amnesty International are calling for the release of Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, two members of the Bahrain Teachers' Association (BTA) who were arrested during the unrest in March and April 2011. They remain incarcerated awaiting trial in a civilian court, which has been postponed...

    Bahrain: EI demands release of detained teachers