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 5 May 2020

    USA: Teacher union presents roadmap to safely reopen schools and communities

    The American Federation of Teachers has launched a blueprint providing guidance for safely and responsibly reopening school buildings and other institutions and imagining a ‘new normal’ for public education, public health, and the economy in the age of COVID-19.

    USA: Teacher union presents roadmap to safely reopen schools and communities
  2. News 4 May 2020

    EI Asia-Pacific Regional Committee adopts statement on COVID-19

    The statement adopted by the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee cites the divergent approaches of governments to the impact of COVID-19 on health, workers, and the economy. It also stresses the lack of consultation of education unions, with rare exceptions, on questions related to the pandemic in the region.

    EI Asia-Pacific Regional Committee adopts statement on COVID-19
  3. News 4 May 2020

    EI African Regional Committee adopts statement of COVID-19 impact and re-opening of schools

    The Education International Africa Regional Committee, in a virtual meeting held on 20 April 2020, adopted a statement that focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in the region and urged governments to consult teachers and education support personnel (ESP) through their representative organisations to ensure that...

    EI African Regional Committee adopts statement of COVID-19 impact and re-opening of schools
  4. News 30 April 2020

    Romania: Distance learning to be used until the end of the 2019-2020 school year

    While all educational facilities in Romania are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federation of Free Unions in Education is ensuring that the current school year can be concluded under the best possible educational and health conditions and the return to school in September can be carried out in...

    Romania: Distance learning to be used until the end of the 2019-2020 school year
  5. News 29 April 2020

    Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women

    Despite continuing their work online, teachers in private schools in Jordan are not being paid their full salaries. Most of the teachers affected are women. Education International urges the Jordanian government to guarantee the fundamental rights of teachers and education workers and update national legislation to prohibit gender discrimination at...

    Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women
  6. News 27 April 2020

    Cameroon: teachers must get more support in developing their skills to help them deliver quality distance education

    While acknowledging that teachers had already been offered training to help them develop the skills needed to deliver online classes before the COVID-19 crisis had begun, educators should be better trained in the area according to an education trade union in Cameroon. Authorities should ensure that teachers are well-equipped to...

    Cameroon: teachers must get more support in developing their skills to help them deliver quality distance education
  7. News 23 April 2020

    Gabon: teachers support governmental initiative for education to continue through distance learning

    Although they believe the XGEST platform distance learning initiative launched by the Ministry of Education is worth trying out during the COVID-19 initiative, teachers, through their representative organisation, the Syndicat de l'Éducation Nationale say that they have strong reservations as to whether all students can access it. They therefore insist...

    Gabon: teachers support governmental initiative for education to continue through distance learning
  8. News 22 April 2020

    Iran: Leading teacher unionist arrested again

    Education International and UK’s NASUWT, the Teachers’ Union have condemned the re-arrest of Tehran education union leader Esmail Abdi.

    Iran: Leading teacher unionist arrested again
  9. News 22 April 2020

    South Africa: Union’s measures to ensure educators’ and students’ health and safety

    Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the South African Democratic Teachers' Union is doing its utmost to reach out to union members, ensure teachers’ and students’ safety from the virus, and improve access to remote teaching and learning.

    South Africa: Union’s measures to ensure educators’ and students’ health and safety
  10. News 21 April 2020

    Canada: Education community mourns death of teacher during a deadly mass shooting

    Nineteen people were killed in a shooting rampage in Nova Scotia, a maritime province in Eastern Canada. Along with its member organisation, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, Education International mourns the many lives lost in a shooting rampage in Nova Scotia, including a teacher and the wife of another teacher.

    Canada: Education community mourns death of teacher during a deadly mass shooting
  11. News 17 April 2020

    Poland: Union fighting to reduce challenges posed by COVID-19 crisis

    During the current COVID-19 pandemic, education unionists in Poland are calling for increased funding for education and broad access to remote teaching and learning so that education can continue, and the health of educators and their students can be safeguarded.

    Poland: Union fighting to reduce challenges posed by COVID-19 crisis
  12. News 17 April 2020

    Peru: Threat to Labour Rights

    In response to the Peruvian government's ruling on labour issues, which allows private companies to regulate employment in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, trade unions have launched a campaign to demand the repeal of Emergency Decree 038-2020, which authorises the complete suspension of work, effectively undermining collective bargaining.

    Peru: Threat to Labour Rights
  13. News 16 April 2020

    Iraq: Education union mobilises to support teachers and students during pandemic

    Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of school communities, secure financial support for educators and continued education for students.

    Iraq: Education union mobilises to support teachers and students during pandemic
  14. News 16 April 2020

    Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award

    Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2020 to trade union leader and educator Barbara Figueroa Sandoval from Chile.

    Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award
  15. News 15 April 2020

    Germany: Education union raises concerns around reopening of schools

    A German education union has voiced its concern at proposals to reopen schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues to safeguard educator and student health include addressing how social distancing will operate in classrooms, the wearing of face masks, and infection prevention in facilities and public transport.

    Germany: Education union raises concerns around reopening of schools
  16. News 9 April 2020

    Kenya: Educators call for lockdown and measures to protect population during COVID-19 crisis

    Two education unions in Kenya have called for a complete lockdown of the country to ensure the safety of educators and students. The proposal is just one of those submitted by the unions for the effective and successful management of the health, education, and economic crisis caused by the spread...

    Kenya: Educators call for lockdown and measures to protect population during COVID-19 crisis