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 4 June 2009

    Urgent Action Appeal USA: Support for the Employee Free Choice Act

    EI and its member organizations in the United States request your support for their campaign to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The act would protect American workers’ rights to join unions and to bargain collectively, free from employer intimidation and threats of dismissal.

    Urgent Action Appeal USA: Support for the Employee Free Choice Act
  2. News 29 May 2009

    Turkish teacher activists arrested

    Education International has written to the government of Turkey to condemn the fact that more than 30 members of Egitim Sen, EI’s Turkish affiliate, were arrested in the early hours of 28 May. In a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, EI deplores this latest police action against...

    Turkish teacher activists arrested
  3. News 28 May 2009

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for support for its affiliate in Ethiopia

    EI has launched an Urgent Appeal today appealing for support from all member and partner organisations to lobby the Ethiopian authorities to allow the members of the ex-Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA) to register a new independent teacher organisation.

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for support for its affiliate in Ethiopia
  4. News 20 May 2009

    World protests to demand union rights for Iranian workers

    Four global union organisations representing over 170 million workers have called a worldwide action day on June 26 to demand justice for Iranian workers. Demonstrations will take place outside Iranian embassies and consulates to protest the ongoing denial of rights and arrests of trade unionists within the country.

    World protests to demand union rights for Iranian workers
  5. News 13 May 2009

    Iran: Son of teacher trade unionist detained

    Sajad Khaksari, the 25-year-old son of one of Iran’s leading teacher trade unionists, was arrested on 26 April in Tehran and remains in detention in Ward 10 of the Evin prison.

    Iran: Son of teacher trade unionist detained
  6. News 6 May 2009

    Cote d’Ivoire: Cascade Training in EI EFAIDS Programme

    Teachers and unionists from Cote d’Ivoire gathered in the capital, Yamoussoukro, for a 3-day national refresher workshop in late March. The event updated the training of master trainers on EFA and AIDS related issues.

    Cote d’Ivoire: Cascade Training in EI EFAIDS Programme
  7. News 6 May 2009

    Iran: Teacher unionist detained after National Teachers’ Day demonstration

    Shortly after the May Day crackdown on Iranian workers’ rallies, teachers organised gatherings to celebrate National Teachers’ Day on 4 May. The teacher association TTA invited members to gather in front of the Education Ministry in Tehran and in front of the Education Department offices in the provinces.

    Iran: Teacher unionist detained after National Teachers’ Day demonstration
  8. News 5 May 2009

    Latin American EI EFAIDS Workshop held in Argentina

    EI members from 10 countries in the region travelled to Buenos Aires to participate in the 3rd Latin American Region Workshop for the EI EFAIDS programme, which began on 26 April.

    Latin American EI EFAIDS Workshop held in Argentina
  9. News 5 May 2009

    Teachers to Talk HIV and AIDS

    UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) and the UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) on Education are organising an E-Forum on “Teachers and HIV & AIDS: Reviewing achievements, identifying challenges” from 18 to 29 May 2009.

    Teachers to Talk HIV and AIDS
  10. News 5 May 2009

    Interview with local EFAIDS trainer in Ghana

    Yevoo Pope Yao, local GNAT (Ghana National Association of Teachers) secretary of Dzodze, Ketu district, Volta region and regional EFAIDS trainer speaks about education and the EI EFAIDS Programme in Ghana.

    Interview with local EFAIDS trainer in Ghana
  11. News 28 April 2009

    May Day: Union coalition warns Iran government off repression

    A coalition of four international trade union organisations told the Iranian government earlier this week to respect their citizens' rights and permit free assembly on May Day – a day when the Iranian authorities traditionally meet peaceful demonstrations with violence and arrests.

    May Day: Union coalition warns Iran government off repression
  12. News 27 April 2009

    EI at the GEW national congress in Germany: "Quality education for all is the key to economic recovery in all countries"

    Better employment conditions and quality education are two sides of the same coin, said Ulrich Thöne in his address to the national congress of the German education union, Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW), held in Nuremberg from 25-28 Apr.

    EI at the GEW national congress in Germany: "Quality education for all is the key to economic recovery in all countries"
  13. News 22 April 2009

    EI-PSI-ITUC Joint statement presented to the UN Durban Conference

    The joint Global Unions statement by Education International, the Public Services International (PSI) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) was presented today to the 2009 United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) currently held from 20-24 April in Geneva, Switzerland.

    EI-PSI-ITUC Joint statement presented to the UN Durban Conference
  14. News 22 April 2009

    Burmese teacher and other unionists detained

    A Burmese teacher activist and four other trade unionists were arrested earlier this month after taking part in the historic first National Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB).

    Burmese teacher and other unionists detained
  15. News 20 April 2009

    EI and other Global Unions show support to UN Durban Review Conference

    EI, together with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Public Services International (PSI), adopted a statement supporting the work of the 2009 United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) currently held from 20-24 April in Geneva, Switzerland.

    EI and other Global Unions show support to UN Durban Review Conference
  16. News 9 April 2009

    EI: The G20 Summit was just the beginning

    The G20 Summit in London last week was not a catastrophe. That, in itself, was an achievement of sorts. That the leaders of the G8 countries joined with the emerging economies, together representing 90% of the global economy and the world’s population, to produce a detailed communiqué recognizing the gravity...

    EI: The G20 Summit was just the beginning
  17. News 3 April 2009

    G20 must back promises with action

    The G20 Summit in London produced a better than expected result. Leaders recognized that the gravity of the financial crisis demanded a common commitment to re-start the world economy. They pledged “to do whatever is necessary to... restore confidence, growth and jobs.”

    G20 must back promises with action