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 17 July 2008

    Iranian court upholds death sentence against teacher trade unionist

    Farzad Kamangar could face execution in the near future, according to the web site Human Rights Activists in Iran. On 11 July, the Iranian Supreme Court confirmed the death penalty against Kamangar, a 33-year-old Kurdish teacher and trade unionist.

    Iranian court upholds death sentence against teacher trade unionist
  2. News 17 July 2008

    EI supports campaign to free imprisoned Turkish trade unionist

    EI echoes the call from Public Services International to free Meryem Özsögüt. A member of the executive committee of the Health Workers Trade Union (SES), Özsögüt has been in jail for the past six months for having done nothing more than attend a press conference to denounce the killing of...

    EI supports campaign to free imprisoned Turkish trade unionist
  3. News 11 July 2008

    Argentina: Murderer of teacher Carlos Fuentealba sentenced to life in prison

    The convicted murderer of Argentine teacher Carlos Fuentealba has been sentenced to life in prison by a court in Neuquén, the city in which he was killed during a peaceful teacher union demonstration last year.

    Argentina: Murderer of teacher Carlos Fuentealba sentenced to life in prison
  4. News 1 July 2008

    Zimbabwe: Attacks on unionists continue after election

    The national campaign of intimidation against human and trade union rights activists continues even after Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for another 5-year term. This follows an election process described by the African Union as "falling short of accepted AU standards."

    Zimbabwe: Attacks on unionists continue after election
  5. News 27 June 2008

    Ethiopia: The Federal Supreme Court rules against the original ETA

    Late on 26 June, EI received a disturbing update from Gemoraw Kassa, General Secretary of the ETA, established in 1949 and EI Member, informing EI that the court of cassation at the Federal Supreme Court ruled against the original ETA, 26 June.

    Ethiopia: The Federal Supreme Court rules against the original ETA
  6. News 27 June 2008

    Education International joins the World AIDS Campaign in calling for the establishment of a high-level G8 AIDS mechanism and the fulfilment of commitments made on AIDS at previous G8 summits

    Education International and the Global Unions endorse the campaign statement and EI encourages affiliates to support it by sending their organisation’s name and email address to [email protected] with the subject ‘Statement Agreement’ before 30 June 2008.

    Education International joins the World AIDS Campaign in calling for the establishment of a high-level G8 AIDS mechanism and the fulfilment of commitments made on AIDS at previous G8 summits
  7. News 26 June 2008

    EI pays tribute to trade union victims on UN Day supporting victims of torture

    On the United Nations' International Day in Support of Victims of Torture - observed every year on 26 June - EI pays tribute to the innocent trade union rights activists who are subjected to moral harassment, intimidation, physical assaults and torture for defending fundamental human rights.

    EI pays tribute to trade union victims on UN Day supporting victims of torture
  8. News 24 June 2008

    Zimbabwe: Trade Unions Call for ILO Commission of Inquiry

    Trade unionists, including educators from across Africa and from around the world have called for an official ILO Commission of Inquiry into Zimbabwe, as more reports of torture and murder of trade unionists emerge from the country.

    Zimbabwe: Trade Unions Call for ILO Commission of Inquiry
  9. News 20 June 2008

    Zimbabwe: Two teachers dead, three more missing

    Zimbabwean teachers are being severely targeted in the brutal reprisals now being meted out as Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party desperately cling to power. EI’s affiliate the Zimbabwe Teacher Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) both reported violence against teachers in the rural areas.

    Zimbabwe: Two teachers dead, three more missing
  10. News 11 June 2008

    Zimbabwe: Teacher unionists under attack again

    Harassment and intimidation of teachers and their trade unions continues in Zimbabwe in the lead-up to the June 27 election to determine whether Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF or his opposition challenger Morgan Tsvangirai will win the presidency.

    Zimbabwe: Teacher unionists under attack again
  11. News 10 June 2008

    EI appeals on behalf of Iranian teacher unjustly facing death penalty

    Education International has taken up the cause of Farzad Kamangar, a 32-year-old Iranian teacher and trade unionist who has been repeatedly tortured in custody and sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

    EI appeals on behalf of Iranian teacher unjustly facing death penalty
  12. 5 June 2008

    Teachers take on cyberbullies

    “Bullying has butted its way into the digital age, negatively affecting the lives of students and educators. As with other complex educational problems, cyberbulling has no easy solutions.”

    Teachers take on cyberbullies
  13. News 2 June 2008

    Iraqi Teachers’ Union asserts its independence from all political blocs

    The Iraqi Teachers’ Union (ITU) is calling on its members and branch leaders to be vigilant in protecting their organisation from being used by any political party or group in the months leading up to the governorate elections expected before October.

    Iraqi Teachers’ Union asserts its independence from all political blocs
  14. News 29 May 2008

    Teachers Against Cyberbullying

    Around 50.000 teachers in Germany are victims of cyberbullying, the Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW) reveales in a study on cyberbullying released on 27 May.

    Teachers Against Cyberbullying
  15. News 23 May 2008

    Zimbabwe: Solidarity with teachers and trade unionists

    Teachers and human and trade union rights activists worldwide are invited to support their colleagues in Zimbabwe by responding to theEI Urgent Action Appeal . So far, over a dozen teacher unions have condemned the violations of basic human and trade union rights against teachers.

    Zimbabwe: Solidarity with teachers and trade unionists
  16. News 19 May 2008

    Sierra Leone: EFAIDS gathers momentum

    A four day EFAIDS training of trainers workshop took place from March 19-22 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The meeting brought together teachers from across the country and engaged them with EFAIDS issues which will then be communicated to wider audiences of teachers and learners in their workplaces and regions.

    Sierra Leone: EFAIDS gathers momentum
  17. News 19 May 2008

    Kenya: KNUT’s commitment to EFAIDS unshaken by unrest

    The post-election unrest in Kenya has not dulled the commitment of the Kenya National Union of Teachers to advancing EFA and halting HIV and AIDS. The union gathered forty of their members in Ngong Town, southern Kenya, to participate in a national training of trainers (TOTs) session on April 23,...

    Kenya: KNUT’s commitment to EFAIDS unshaken by unrest
  18. News 19 May 2008

    Promoting Health Education in Brazil

    The 2nd National Seminar on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) /AIDS, organised by the Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE) between March 31 – April 2, 2008, provided an opportunity for debate and progress on themes related to the EFAIDS programme.

    Promoting Health Education in Brazil