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. Publications

    Trade union rights toolkit

    8 December 2022

    To support education unions everywhere in their struggle to defend their members’ rights, Education International has developed the Trade Union Rights Toolkit. The toolkit aims to equip education unions to formulate cases when their rights are violated and defend their cases based on the fundamental rights of the global community.

    Trade union rights toolkit
    1. Download
  2. News 11 November 2024

    Education Unions in the United States stand firm for public education after Trump win

    In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the nation’s leading teacher unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguard public education and the rights of all students.

    Education Unions in the United States stand firm for public education after Trump win
  3. News 7 November 2024

    Iran: Education International denounces new detention of teacher unionist Mohammad Habibi for defending female students

    Mohammad Habibi, a teacher and union activist in Tehran, is a resilient and prominent figure in Iran’s education rights movement, standing against oppression under the Islamic regime. His commitment to defending the rights of teachers and students has led to repeated arrests, torture, and harassment by Iranian authorities, making him...

    Iran: Education International denounces new detention of teacher unionist Mohammad Habibi for defending female students
  4. News 24 October 2024

    Global Unions demand financial reforms to support public services and workers' rights

    Global union federations, including Education International, are calling for urgent reforms from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, urging these Internacional Financial Institutions to prioritise public investments and adopt policies that strengthen public services, labor rights, and social dialogue.

    Global Unions demand financial reforms to support public services and workers' rights
  5. News 14 October 2024

    Côte d’Ivoire: mass union action to demand respect for trade union rights

    After a series of general meetings, Côte d’Ivoire’s trade unions have called a three-day work stoppage for 15, 16, and 17 October 2024 to protest the unconstructive and unproductive dialogue between the unions and the public authorities over the last two years.

    Côte d’Ivoire: mass union action to demand respect for trade union rights
  6. Statements 14 October 2024

    Solidarity with Unionists, Teachers, and Students in Lebanon

    Education International (EI) reaffirms its longstanding commitment to advocating for lasting peace, security, and the protection of human rights in the Middle East. We call on all State Parties, and non-state actors to end the violence, enforce an immediate ceasefire, and restore the functioning of schools throughout the region.

    Solidarity with Unionists, Teachers, and Students in Lebanon
  7. Take action! 1 October 2024

    Education International reiterates call for solidarity with teachers and students in Palestine

    Education International (EI) renews its call for solidarity to support Palestinian teachers in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as they continue to advocate for their students despite unprecedented military attacks, catastrophic living conditions, and widespread starvation. In addition, teachers in Gaza and the West Bank have not received...

    Education International reiterates call for solidarity with teachers and students in Palestine
  8. News 27 September 2024

    Education International joins Global Unions in demanding Israel pays owed wages of over 200,000 Palestinian workers

    A complaint against the Israeli government for blatant violations of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Protection of Wages Convention has been filed by nine global trade unions, with members in over 160 countries representing 207 million workers. The complaint highlights the obligations of Israeli authorities to redress and remedy a...

    Education International joins Global Unions in demanding Israel pays owed wages of over 200,000 Palestinian workers
  9. News 24 September 2024

    Chad: A union congress vital for the future of education

    During the 6th ordinary Congress of the Chad Teachers’ Union (Syndicat des enseignants du Tchad – SET), unionists reinvigorated their union, discussed strategies to ensure the teaching profession is valued, reviewed the union’s statutory provisions, nominated national advisers, and elected a new national executive committee.

    Chad: A union congress vital for the future of education
  10. News 13 September 2024

    Guatemala: Murder of teacher and union leader René Sucup Morán condemned worldwide

    Education International and its Regional Committee for Latin America condemn the murder of René Sucup Morán, a teacher and STEG union leader, and call on the government to ensure an immediate and full investigation. The international trade union and education community insists that this crime must not go unpunished and...

    Guatemala: Murder of teacher and union leader René Sucup Morán condemned worldwide
  11. Take action! 11 September 2024

    Education International calls for the immediate release of Palestinian teacher union activist Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi

    Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi, a 54-year-old Palestinian kindergarten teacher, is the President of the Jericho branch of the Palestine General Union of Workers in Kindergarten and Private Schools (GUWKPS), a member organisation of Education International. In January 2024, she was arrested at her home by the Israeli Defense Forces and transferred...

    Education International calls for the immediate release of Palestinian teacher union activist Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi
  12. News 23 August 2024

    Taiwan teacher union leader on hunger strike for pension fund

    In an effort to ensure justice and accountability, Hou Chung-Liang, President of the National Teachers’ Association (NTA Taiwan), has embarked on a hunger strike since August 20th. This drastic action aims to pressure the government into fulfilling its obligations as the employer of all civil servants, including teachers and education...

    Taiwan teacher union leader on hunger strike for pension fund
  13. News 20 August 2024

    Global union movement rallies in support of the world’s educators

    Teachers and education support personnel are the cornerstone of a sustainable, equitable, peaceful, and democratic future for all communities worldwide. This was the message delivered by top global union leaders at the 10th World Congress of Education International (EI) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Global union movement rallies in support of the world’s educators
  14. News 31 July 2024

    Trade unions rally against far-right nationalism and mobilize for rights and gender equality

    Education trade unions worldwide are advocating for fully funded, inclusive public education systems to counter the rising tide of far-right nationalism and authoritarianism. This urgent plea was made during a breakout session titled “Mobilizing for Rights and Gender Equality in the Face of Far-Right Nationalism and Authoritarianism,” held on July...

    Trade unions rally against far-right nationalism and mobilize for rights and gender equality
  15. Take action! 19 July 2024

    Education International Launches Petition in Support of Swaziland National Association of Teachers

    Education International (EI) launched a petition on the trade union platform LabourStart in support of the the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) , its affiliate in the country. EI called on the Eswatini Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to recognize the SNAT as a partner in social dialogue, reinstate SNAT...

    Education International Launches Petition in Support of Swaziland National Association of Teachers
  16. News 1 July 2024

    Education unions call on ILO to ensure implementation of UN recommendations on the teaching profession

    At the 112th session of the International Labour Conference, the delegation of Education International brought attention to the recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession as the new landmark instrument for governments to engage with teacher unions, aiming to improve the status of education workers and...

    Education unions call on ILO to ensure implementation of UN recommendations on the teaching profession
  17. News 25 June 2024

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy

    "This year’s report makes for difficult reading – a clear and urgent wake-up call that the future of democracy and fundamental rights agreed by most countries at an international level are at risk”, warned Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary, as introduction to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index .

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy
  18. Research

    Impact on Afghan Teachers of the Restrictions on the Right to Learn and to Teach

    Research on Teachers’ Status and Working Conditions in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan
    14 June 2024

    From March to May of 2023, Education International and one of its member organisations in Afghanistan, the National Teacher Elected Council (NTEC), conducted a survey among the country’s teachers. The findings paint a bleak picture, revealing the impact of Taliban policy on Afghanistan’s teachers, students, and education system.

    Impact on Afghan Teachers of the Restrictions on the Right to Learn and to Teach
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