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. Worlds of Education 20 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - “Teachers must feel safe for educating free generations”, by Özgür Bozdogan

    Özgür Bozdogan

    After the failed coup attempt on 15th of July, 2016, in Turkey, a state of emergency was declared on the 20th of July. The state of emergency was used to attack all opposition groups. This power grab was used to obtain further power as the Government issued decrees which enabled...

    #UDHR70 - “Teachers must feel safe for educating free generations”, by Özgür Bozdogan
  2. Worlds of Education 19 December 2018

    #UDHR70 – “A banner of struggle for humanity”, by Yamile Socolovsky

    Yamile Socolovsky

    On the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it seems inevitable that we ask ourselves whether in the ensuing time we have succeeded in advancing its goals, or whether those principles have ended up being nothing more than a well-intentioned, but ultimately futile statement of a humanistic...

    #UDHR70 – “A banner of struggle for humanity”, by Yamile Socolovsky
  3. Worlds of Education 17 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - "In Burundi the union is standing firm in its struggle for teachers’ rights", by Rémy Nsengiyumva.

    Rémy Nsengiyumva

    Still active after more than two decades of struggle for the socio-professional rights of Burundi’s teachers, the Syndicat des Travailleurs de l’Enseignement du Burundi (STEB) is slowly recovering from the social crisis that shook the country. With the support of leaders who are committed to reverse the current situation, teachers...

    #UDHR70 - "In Burundi the union is standing firm in its struggle for teachers’ rights", by Rémy Nsengiyumva.
  4. Worlds of Education 17 December 2018

    #EI25: “Trade unionism, the teaching profession, and democracy”, interview of EI General Secretary Emeritus Fred van Leeuwen

    Fred van Leeuwen

    2018 is the 25th anniversary of the creation of Education International. As this anniversary year draws to a close, we are publishing an interview of Fred van Leeuwen who served the organization as General Secretary of EI for its first quarter century. This discussion offers a reflection on the substantial...

    #EI25: “Trade unionism, the teaching profession, and democracy”, interview of EI General Secretary Emeritus Fred van Leeuwen
  5. News 17 December 2018

    Fiji: education unionists seek inclusive schools that are a safe environments for all

    The Education International’s Asia-Pacific office and the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) organised in Fiji a professional development workshop, “Teachers unions for inclusion: embracing diversity and promoting safe schools”.

    Fiji: education unionists seek inclusive schools that are a safe environments for all
  6. Worlds of Education 16 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - "Education in a country in conflict", by Etienne-Paulin Songoli

    Etienne-Paulin Songoli

    Human rights are an on-going issue for the education sector in the Central African Republic. These issues concern both the status of the teaching staff and the quality of the infrastructure and teaching methods.

    #UDHR70 - "Education in a country in conflict", by Etienne-Paulin Songoli
  7. Worlds of Education 15 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - “Trade Union Rights are Human Rights: South Korean Teachers Deprived of Union Representation”, by Hyunsu Hwang

    Hyunsu Hwang

    On December 10, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in his speech to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Human Rights Day: "Among countries that went through colonial rule, dictatorship, and war, there are few countries that have the level of South Korean human rights." He added, “there is still a...

    #UDHR70 - “Trade Union Rights are Human Rights: South Korean Teachers Deprived of Union Representation”, by Hyunsu Hwang
  8. Worlds of Education 14 December 2018

    #UDHR70 – “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: its respect is not automatic”, by Augustin Tumba Nzuji

    Augustin Tumba Nzuji

    The right to work is one of the basic human rights. From this follows the right to defend and improve your working conditions, a task which is carried out by trade unions through the right to "associate" and join workers' organisations. In the 70th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration...

    #UDHR70 – “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: its respect is not automatic”, by Augustin Tumba Nzuji
  9. Worlds of Education 13 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - “Our struggle in Bahrain … Might be yours”, by Jalila Al-Salman

    Jalila Al-Salman

    The Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) was established in October 2001 after a long journey of teachers’ struggles to obtain their representative body. It was founded after the King Hamad presented a package of reforms, including allowing associations representing professionals in the public sector to exist, even though unions are still...

    #UDHR70 - “Our struggle in Bahrain … Might be yours”, by Jalila Al-Salman
  10. Worlds of Education 12 December 2018

    #UDHR70 – “A Struggle to Survive and Thrive Under a Dictatorship”, by Marie Antoinette Corr

    Marie Antoinette Corr

    In his book “Mein Kampf”, Hitler said "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed". The dictator Yahya Jammeh knew how to terrorize the masses through threats and cajoling. When he said "Gambia will become an economic superpower by 2012", almost everyone...

    #UDHR70 – “A Struggle to Survive and Thrive Under a Dictatorship”, by Marie Antoinette Corr
  11. News 12 December 2018

    France: newly elected representatives will carry the voices of teachers and education support staff

    In an election with increased participation, French teachers and education support staff have democratically elected, with stable scores for the unions, for a term of four years, their representatives from the trade unions to various bodies linked to education during the 2018 professional elections.

    France: newly elected representatives will carry the voices of teachers and education support staff
  12. Worlds of Education 11 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - “Teacher trade unionism in Djibouti: verdict of a life of sacrifice”, by Ahmed-Kadar Nour Ismail

    Ahmed-Kadar Nour Ismail

    On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the time has come for me to look back over more than 30 years of personal commitment to national education in my country, and more than 20 years of trade union activism within the Syndicat des...

    #UDHR70 - “Teacher trade unionism in Djibouti: verdict of a life of sacrifice”, by Ahmed-Kadar Nour Ismail
  13. Worlds of Education 10 December 2018

    #UDHR70 - "On Dignity: Reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    The 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights is an occasion to be inspired by its principles and its origin. It is an opportunity for trade unionists and educators to reflect on its values and the aspirations it represents and to stand up, speak out and act. It...

    #UDHR70 - "On Dignity: Reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", by David Edwards
  14. News 4 December 2018

    Iran: Teachers imprisoned for participating in peaceful strike actions

    Confronted with the worsening situation of Iranian educator activists, Education International continues its fight to see jailed education union leaders and members freed, and reiterates its call on its affiliates and concerned citizens around the globe to continue to exert pressure on the Iranian Government to demand the immediate release...

    Iran: Teachers imprisoned for participating in peaceful strike actions
  15. Worlds of Education 3 December 2018

    Increasing funding for inclusive education: a benefit for all, of value to all!, by Claude Carroué

    Cheerful pupils, playing in the playground, taking turns on a swing, in the shelter of pre-fabricated buildings currently used by several classes until new buildings under construction are operational. At the school in Bempt, in the Brussels Region commune of Forest, the enthusiasm for a school focussed on the inclusion...

    Increasing funding for inclusive education: a benefit for all, of value to all!, by Claude Carroué