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 July 2020

    Canadian teacher survey exposes damage to education during the pandemic

    Education International's member organisation, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE), conducted a survey in which nearly 18,000 teachers participated. It showed unease and concern about the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the well-being of students and teachers. It exposed damage to education stemming from the dependence on distance learning, including...

    Canadian teacher survey exposes damage to education during the pandemic
  2. News 9 July 2020

    Webinar discusses Global Education Monitoring Report on Inclusion and Education

    On 9 July, a webinar reviewing the recently released Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM) 2020 from the perspective of teachers was co-hosted by Education International, UNESCO, the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030, and the GEM Report. The report, “Inclusion and Education: All Means All” was explained. Its...

    Webinar discusses Global Education Monitoring Report on Inclusion and Education
  3. News 9 July 2020

    Palestine: Training in e-learning critical as return to education deferred

    As COVID-19 cases increased in Palestine, the General Union of Palestinian Teachers, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, led a project on e-learning. This has assumed greater significance as schools will not reopen in August as had been previously planned.

    Palestine: Training in e-learning critical as return to education deferred
  4. News 6 July 2020

    USA: The National Education Association holds virtual Representative Assembly

    On 2 and 3 July, the National Education Association (NEA) of the United States held a virtual representative assembly with the participation of over 7,000 delegates. The theme of the assembly was “Our Democracy; Our Responsibility; Our time”.

    USA: The National Education Association holds virtual Representative Assembly
  5. Worlds of Education 6 July 2020

    “Online teaching and videoconferencing: how can teachers choose the most appropriate tools?”, by Steven Kolber.

    Steven Kolber

    Teachers are all scrambling onto remote learning (or distance learning, or continuous learning, or crisis learning, or the nomenclature of your area) to support and stay connected with their students during this isolating time. The unexpected nature of the events around COVID-19 and the different levels and speeds of responsiveness...

    “Online teaching and videoconferencing: how can teachers choose the most appropriate tools?”, by Steven Kolber.
  6. News 6 July 2020

    France: teachers’ unions ask to be heard and assert their profession

    Representatives of French teachers’ unions have impressed upon public authorities the need to establish a real social dialogue to ensure high-quality education for all during and after the current global pandemic. In particular, they point to the statement adopted by the Education International European Region, ETUCE; which makes recommendations for...

    France: teachers’ unions ask to be heard and assert their profession
  7. News 2 July 2020

    Anti-worker legislation delayed in Ukraine following mass protests

    In a series of warning protests on 30 June, trade unions from all sectors, including education, mobilised against proposed changes in labour law violating freedom of association, the right to organise, and the right to collective bargaining. Trade union activists demonstrated in major cities to demand that the government shelve...

    Anti-worker legislation delayed in Ukraine following mass protests
  8. News 2 July 2020

    Council of Global Unions Joint Solidarity Statement | Justice for Lee Cheuk Yan and ensuring fundamental rights in Hong Kong

    The Council of Global Unions (CGU) – representing more than 200 million workers from across the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Global Union Federations and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) – wholeheartedly condemns the unlawful arrests of trade union and prodemocracy leaders and activists by...

    Council of Global Unions Joint Solidarity Statement | Justice for Lee Cheuk Yan and ensuring fundamental rights in Hong Kong
  9. News 1 July 2020

    Democracy Conference: Trade unions unite to shape a better post-pandemic world

    Leading progressive thinkers and union leaders came together in a joint Education International-Public Services International online event to discuss the post-COVID-19 future and how to shape it. Union leaders from around the world were addressed by high-profile keynote speakers at the Democracy Conference on 29 June.

    Democracy Conference: Trade unions unite to shape a better post-pandemic world
  10. News 30 June 2020

    Iraq: Trade union takes stock of pressing issues for educators

    Education unionists in Kurdistan have highlighted their demands to on border security and salary payments along with the impact of COVID-19 on union elections and teachers’ health and safety.

    Iraq: Trade union takes stock of pressing issues for educators
  11. News 29 June 2020

    Zimbabwe: Trade unions win court battle on school re-opening

    The Government of Zimbabwe announced that schools would reopen, already for examinations in late June and move forward in steps in the following weeks to re-open schools despite risks of an intensification of COVID-19 infections. Education trade unions challenged the re-openings as unsafe and premature and called for social dialogue...

    Zimbabwe: Trade unions win court battle on school re-opening
  12. News 17 June 2020

    The Gambia: Social dialogue at heart of COVID-19 response

    The Gambia Teachers Union has been proactive in its advocacy and activities in response to the COVID-19 epidemic as it turns its focus to guaranteeing a safe return to schools and quality education for all.

    The Gambia: Social dialogue at heart of COVID-19 response
  13. News 17 June 2020

    Education International mourns Fred Jarvis

    Fred Jarvis, who led the National Union of Teachers (NUT) as its General Secretary from 1975 to 1989, has died at 95. His service to trade unionism and education, however, began long before his work at the NUT as leader and in other capacities and continued until his death.

    Education International mourns Fred Jarvis
  14. Worlds of Education 16 June 2020

    As frontlines shift to schools: Can governments ensure safety? by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    Education International echoes the call of education workers from around the world: national governments must ensure their protection through evidence-based public health measures in the transition back to school. Read about how the global union federation responds to this call.

    As frontlines shift to schools: Can governments ensure safety? by David Edwards.