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 7 April 2011

    Bahrain: continued anti-union repression and reprisal against strikers

    Education International (EI) is deeply concerned that workers and their trade union representatives in Bahrain are facing a wave of coercive violence and massive dismissals, in apparent reprisal for their participation in legitimate strikes and protest actions for democratic change.

    Bahrain: continued anti-union repression and reprisal against strikers
  2. News 1 April 2011

    Morocco: teachers strike after violent protests

    Teacher unionists in Morocco have staged a two-day nationwide strike after recent demonstrations for better benefits ended in violence.

    Morocco: teachers strike after violent protests
  3. News 31 March 2011

    France: Teachers reaffirm their commitment to solidarity and social justice

    French teacher unions have issued a joint statement following on the recent district elections in France, which have seen a growth in support for the far right party, the National Front, asserting that “educators oppose the policies of the extreme right.“

    France: Teachers reaffirm their commitment to solidarity and social justice
  4. 31 March 2011

    EFAIDS project ends but EI’s drive to achieve the MDGs goes on

    EI’s EFAIDS Programme is ending after five successful years of activity in Education for All (EFA) and HIV and AIDS education. Life-saving skills training has been implemented by 80 member organisations in 48countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

    EFAIDS project ends but EI’s drive to achieve the MDGs goes on
  5. 30 March 2011

    Teachers under fire in Zimbabwe

    Teachers from around the world have condemned reports from Harare which confirm that Zimbabwe’s teachers have been experiencing increased political threats and serious violent attacks since November 2010.

    Teachers under fire in Zimbabwe
  6. 30 March 2011

    Tunisia: the spark that set the Arab world ablaze

    On 17 December 2010, a young vegetable seller named Mohamed Bouazizi burned himself alive in protest at police harassment in a small poverty-stricken town in Tunisia. Within a month the regime of President Ben Ali had fallen, sending shock waves across the entire Arab region.

    Tunisia: the spark that set the Arab world ablaze
  7. News 28 March 2011

    Teacher unions under attack in Bahrain and Yemen

    While teacher unions are determined to continue to voice demands for more freedom and rights in the region, EI keeps receiving worrying reports about attacks against teachers and unionists.

    Teacher unions under attack in Bahrain and Yemen
  8. 25 March 2011

    Collective action against mendacious attacks

    A New Year’s pledge from hardline Republican Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, to remove teachers’ collective bargaining rights, as well as their health benefits and pension entitlements, has brought thousands of pro-union demonstrators on to the streets in all 50 U.S. states in solidarity with the Wisconsin unions.

    Collective action against mendacious attacks
  9. News 25 March 2011

    Teacher unions attacked in Bahrain and Yemen

    While teacher unions are determined to continue to voice demands for more freedom and rights in the region, EI keep receiving worrying reports about attacks against teachers and unionists.

    Teacher unions attacked in Bahrain and Yemen
  10. 24 March 2011

    New Zealand: Teachers under Pressure

    In a recent survey of members, the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) was shocked to discover 86 per cent of teachers experience stress at work, while 24 per cent of respondents said stress levels are ‘of concern’ or ‘intolerable’. The union is tackling this problem everyone needs a way to...

    New Zealand: Teachers under Pressure
  11. News 24 March 2011

    Honduras: EI Executive Board condemns workers’ repression

    The EI Executive Board in Cape Town has condemned the murder of teacher Ilse Ivania Velásquez as a new low in an increasingly deteriorating situation in Honduras.

    Honduras: EI Executive Board condemns workers’ repression
  12. 24 March 2011

    Unions commit to HIV activism to ensure quality education in West Africa

    Challenges to secure quality education in the West African countries of Senegal and Mali include overcrowded classes, over-stretched teachers and under-resourced schools. The impact of HIV and AIDS is another factor with the potential to complicate access and provision of education.

    Unions commit to HIV activism to ensure quality education in West Africa
  13. News 17 March 2011

    Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates

    EI has condemned the suspension of higher education in Bahrain as the brutal repression of pro-democracy protesters demanding political reforms within the kingdom continues.

    Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates
  14. News 17 March 2011

    South Africa: Government must endorse UN policy on human rights

    EI and its national affiliates, SADTU, NAPTO, and SAOU, are urging the Government of South African to sign up to the joint statement on ending violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

    South Africa: Government must endorse UN policy on human rights
  15. News 10 March 2011

    USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights

    Republicans in the Wisconsin state senate have approved a regressive plan to strip public-sector and teacher trade unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.

    USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights