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 13 January 2011

    Tunisia: Schools and universities shut down as teachers join protests

    Tunisia’s government has imposed curfews in the capital and shut down all schools and universities indefinitely after violent protests, during which scores of people have been killed.

    Tunisia: Schools and universities shut down as teachers join protests
  2. News 17 December 2010

    It’s time to ratify the Migrants Workers’ Convention

    On 18 December, International Migrants’ Day, EI is calling on governments to ratify the Migrant Workers’ Convention (UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families).

    It’s time to ratify the Migrants Workers’ Convention
  3. News 9 December 2010

    Human Rights Day: EI gives voice to teacher union activists’ rights

    As teacher trade unionists around the world mark International Day for Human Rights on 10 December, EI salutes the bravery of teachers who strive to tackle the violation of peoples' basic rights to live with human dignity and respect.

    Human Rights Day: EI gives voice to teacher union activists’ rights
  4. News 1 December 2010

    World AIDS Day: Teachers take lead on HIV prevention and support

    Teachers pledge to continue engaging in strategies that improve prevention and treatment of HIV as the year for achieving Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment and care draws to a close.

    World AIDS Day: Teachers take lead on HIV prevention and support
  5. News 30 November 2010

    Chinese teacher fights HIV job discrimination

    An HIV-positive teacher has lodged an appeal against a district court ruling that said an education bureau in China's Eastern Anhui province did not employ him after learning of his HIV status.

    Chinese teacher fights HIV job discrimination
  6. News 10 November 2010

    Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20

    EI will join the Global Unions at the G20 meetings, in Seoul, South Korea, to advocate for investment in education to remain high up the G20 recovery plan. EI will also call on the Korean government to respect trade union rights.

    Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20
  7. News 8 November 2010

    Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor

    EI has launched a new Urgent Action Appeal to call on the Government of Colombia to release Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas, a university professor and trade unionist who has been imprisoned.

    Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor
  8. News 5 November 2010

    Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination

    EI’s Executive Board has approved a resolution of solidarity with the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) and Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEOS).

    Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination
  9. News 28 October 2010

    EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea

    The Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU) has denounced the imminent dismissal of 134 public schools’ teachers and trade unionists by the end of October, violating South Korea Local Education Act.

    EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea
  10. News 22 October 2010

    Turkey: EI condemns further delay in the court decision

    The High Court in Izmir has yet again postponed until 1 February 2011 its decision in the case concerning 31 public sector unionists, including 27 teacher unionists from Egitim Sen.

    Turkey: EI condemns further delay in the court decision
  11. News 21 October 2010

    Northern Cyprus: EI is monitoring court decision

    EI is supportive of teacher unionists in Northern Cyprus which face a condemnation by court on 25 October for protesting at funding cuts in education.

    Northern Cyprus: EI is monitoring court decision
  12. News 19 October 2010

    Chile: Miners rescued, concern remains for workers’ safety

    EI and its affiliate, Colegio de Profesores, have welcomed the successful rescue of 33 miners in Copiapó, Chile, and called on authorities to guarantee workers’ rights to health and safety in the workplace.

    Chile: Miners rescued, concern remains for workers’ safety
  13. News 11 October 2010

    EI condemns coup attempt in Ecuador

    With the overthrow of President Zelaya in Honduras still a fresh memory, EI has condemned the attempted coup in Ecuador, and expressed its commitment to defending the principle of democratically elected governments in all regions.

    EI condemns coup attempt in Ecuador
  14. News 8 October 2010

    Philippines: World Teachers’ Day violently interrupted by military

    EI is concerned to learn from Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) that elements of the Philippine armed forces used aggressive tactics against a peaceful demonstration by teachers on World Teachers’ Day.

    Philippines: World Teachers’ Day violently interrupted by military
  15. News 10 September 2010

    EI demands release of imprisoned Colombian professor

    EI has launched a global on-line petition calling on the Colombian government to release Miguel Ángel Beltrán, a university professor and trade unionist who has been imprisoned on charges that violate his basic right to academic freedom.

    EI demands release of imprisoned Colombian professor
  16. News 9 August 2010

    Korea: EI takes action to support teachers threatened by dismissal

    EI and its affiliate the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU, Jeon Gyo Jo) have called for the withdrawal of a plan to dismiss 183 teachers who made private donations to a political party.

    Korea: EI takes action to support teachers threatened by dismissal
  17. News 4 August 2010

    Colombia: Teacher trade unionist killed as violations continue

    Education International has expressed dismay as news emerged that another teacher trade unionist has been killed in Colombia. This latest murder brings to 17 the total number of teachers that have been killed in 2010 alone.

    Colombia: Teacher trade unionist killed as violations continue
  18. News 4 August 2010

    China: Fatal knife attack in nursery school

    A man went on a deadly rampage as he killed at least three children and one teacher in an unprovoked knife attack at a Chinese nursery school in the city of Zibo, in the eastern province of Shandong.

    China: Fatal knife attack in nursery school