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 10 July 2007

    Senegal: Teacher Unions evaluate EFAIDS Programme

    In mid June the Senegalese Committee of Education Unions against HIV/AIDS (COSSEL), which is composed of four EI affiliated teacher unions, namely, SNEEL-CNTS, SUDES, SYPROS and UDEN, carried out an evaluation of the EFAIDS Programme in Dakar.

    Senegal: Teacher Unions evaluate EFAIDS Programme
  2. News 10 July 2007

    Training for Life: EI publishes update on report

    EI has just published an update of its 2006 report "Training for Life" on the record of governments in providing training for teachers on HIV and AIDS. The report is the result of the hard work carried out by a number of EI's affiliates to establish the facts on teacher...

    Training for Life: EI publishes update on report
  3. News 28 June 2007

    Mali: Teacher banned over essay assignment

    A secondary school teacher convicted of “offence against the head of state” has been sentenced to two months in prison and banned from his profession after assigning his students an essay about the indiscretions of a fictional president.

    Mali: Teacher banned over essay assignment
  4. News 26 June 2007

    Mali: EI joins the IFJ in calling for the release of imprisoned teacher and journalists

    Education International joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in calling for the immediate release of a secondary school teacher, a journalist and four editors jailed in Bamako for “offence against the head of state” after the publication of details of a school assignment.

    Mali: EI joins the IFJ in calling for the release of imprisoned teacher and journalists
  5. News 13 June 2007

    Asia Pacific Region: EFAIDS Update

    Early in 2007, EI conducted feasibility studies in Nepal and Indonesia to look at the potential roles that the teachers' organisations based there can play in contributing towards providing Education for All and combating HIV and AIDS, within the context of the EFAIDS Programme.

    Asia Pacific Region: EFAIDS Update
  6. News 13 June 2007

    EI attends IATT Meeting on Education and HIV and AIDS

    The Inter Agency Task Team on Education and HIV and AIDS (IATT) is composed of UN agencies, bilateral donor agencies and civil society representatives. The group of approximately 20 members convenes twice a year to exchange views and discuss issues related to HIV, AIDS and Education. EI attended the most...

    EI attends IATT Meeting on Education and HIV and AIDS
  7. News 8 June 2007

    Ethiopia: Harassment continues - ETA members re-arrested

    Education International has written again to Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, following the re-arrest of Ethiopian Teachers' Association members Antene Getnet and Meqcha Mengistu along with another teacher from the south.

    Ethiopia: Harassment continues - ETA members re-arrested
  8. News 31 May 2007

    Zimbabwe: EI mourns death of tortured PTUZ founder

    EI joins the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) in mourning the death of founder member and national treasurer MacDonald Mangauzani on 27 May. Reports suggest that he succumbed to internal injuries sustained from brutal torture while in police custody last February.

    Zimbabwe: EI mourns death of tortured PTUZ founder
  9. News 15 May 2007

    Burundi: STEB gets off to a good start

    From 10 to 13 April 2007, the Free Trade Union of Education Workers (STEB) organised a national 'Training of Trainers' workshop on HIV/AIDS prevention through schools in Bujumbura (Burundi). It was supported by both EI and WHO-AFRO.

    Burundi: STEB gets off to a good start
  10. News 15 May 2007

    Guinea: Study documents impact of HIV/AIDS on education

    As the number of school-age children grows, so too does the need for teachers, and the need for improving the quality of education. Teachers are key actors in this process, but they are still not being sheltered from the devastating HIV and AIDS pandemic.

    Guinea: Study documents impact of HIV/AIDS on education
  11. News 15 May 2007

    India: Teachers' unions condemn ban on sex education

    In March the state government of Maharashtra, India announced its intention to ban sex education in schools across the state. The Indian teachers' union AIFTO immediately condemned the move as a "retrograde step in the otherwise progressive state of Maharashtra." If the ban goes through, the state will join Karnataka,...

    India: Teachers' unions condemn ban on sex education
  12. News 15 May 2007

    Access to Anti Retrovirals: huge hopes for millions living with AIDS

    According to a new report published mid-April by the WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF, access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV/AIDS in low-income countries continued to grow during 2006, with more than 2 million receiving treatment in December 2006.

    Access to Anti Retrovirals: huge hopes for millions living with AIDS
  13. News 15 May 2007

    Oxfam Report: Paying for People

    According to the Oxfam Briefing Paper on Paying for People, millions of people are dying, sick, or out of school because there are not enough teachers, nurses, and doctors in poor countries.

    Oxfam Report: Paying for People