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 29 November 2018

    Philippines: Illegal detention of human rights defenders

    Education International has strongly condemned the illegal arrest and detention of the members of a solidarity mission with Lumad schools in the municipality of Talaingod, in Davao del Norte.

    Philippines: Illegal detention of human rights defenders
  2. News 28 November 2018

    Nepal: education unions move forward on inclusion, diversity and safety in schools

    The capacity-building workshop on “Teachers’ unions for inclusion: embracing diversity and promoting safe schools” has provided a forum for Education International’s Nepalese affiliates to discuss and develop tools to influence national policies on inclusive education and safe schools for all; students and teachers.

    Nepal: education unions move forward on inclusion, diversity and safety in schools
  3. News 26 November 2018

    EI’s 11th IFHERC highlights the importance of promoting and protecting academic freedom in an increasingly hostile environment

    During discussions at Education International’s 11th International Further and Higher Education and Research Conference, participants from all corners of the world voiced great concern about political developments across the different regions that undermine academic freedom.

    EI’s 11th IFHERC highlights the importance of promoting and protecting academic freedom in an increasingly hostile environment
  4. News 26 November 2018

    A new toolkit to bring more inclusion into education

    Education International has developed a new toolkit for educators and education unions who work with migrant and refugee children to make the right to quality education a reality for all.

    A new toolkit to bring more inclusion into education
  5. News 13 November 2018

    France: united trade union action protesting cuts in education

    For the first time in seven years, the main French education trade unions have put out a united call for a strike on 12 November to voice their deep dissatisfaction with the government’s plans to cut 2,650 teaching positions and 400 education support personnel positions in secondary schools by September...

    France: united trade union action protesting cuts in education
  6. Worlds of Education 13 November 2018

    “Reclaiming Academic Freedom in Malaysia: The Dawn of A New Era?” by Dr Lai Suat Yan

    Dr Lai Suat Yan

    There was rapturous joy on 10 May 2018 when it was officially announced that the opposition party, namely, Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope, PH) won. The rule of the former governing political party, Barisan Nasional (National Front), lasting for the last 60 years, had come to an end. It was...

    “Reclaiming Academic Freedom in Malaysia: The Dawn of A New Era?” by Dr Lai Suat Yan
  7. Worlds of Education 8 November 2018

    Power of Advocacy and Partnership, by Princess R. Moss

    Princess R. Moss

    As a teacher and education advocate here in the United States, I am in a position to see the inter-connections of all that is good and all that is troubling about our country. I see the hope, happiness, and diversity our children have. I also see the chaos and hate...

    Power of Advocacy and Partnership, by Princess R. Moss
  8. News 31 October 2018

    Philippines: teacher unions commit to take action for inclusion and safe schools for all

    Educators from Education International’s Filipino affiliates have crafted action plans aiming to embrace diversity and promote safe schools for all, including lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex teachers and learners, as a follow-up to the 2017 Resolution on Advancing LGBTI Rights of Education International’s Asia-Pacific region.

    Philippines: teacher unions commit to take action for inclusion and safe schools for all
  9. Worlds of Education 31 October 2018

    “It is time to stop hate and bigotry and teachers should lead”, by Fernando M. Reimers

    Fernando M. Reimers

    I am heartbroken and concerned. I am heartbroken because last saturday, as members of the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh celebrated the Sabbath, an armed man entered the Temple and shot on those there as he made anti-semitic statements, murdering eleven people who had come keep the holy day,...

    “It is time to stop hate and bigotry and teachers should lead”, by Fernando M. Reimers
  10. News 25 October 2018

    DRC: United trade union front calls strike in education

    The five most representative education unions in the Democratic Republic of Congo have put out a joint appeal for strike action to take place between November 5 and November 12, with clear support from educators, to express the high level of dissatisfaction of the county’s teachers.

    DRC: United trade union front calls strike in education
  11. News 19 October 2018

    Bahraini education unionist Jalila al Salman given EI’s Mary Hatwood Futrell Award

    Education International’s Executive Board has named Jalila al Salman, a lifelong teacher and trade unionist who has dedicated her life to education, and to representing teachers in Bahrain, as the recipient of the Mary Hatwood Futrell Human and Trade Union Rights Prize for her outstanding engagement and courage in promoting...

    Bahraini education unionist Jalila al Salman given EI’s Mary Hatwood Futrell Award
  12. News 18 October 2018

    Education unionists add their voice in defence of freedom of expression

    Education International has joined the International Federation of Journalists and supported the calls made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urging the Governments of Saudi Arabia and Turkey to investigate the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

    Education unionists add their voice in defence of freedom of expression
  13. News 17 October 2018

    Iran: Solidarity with trade union leaders arrested after teachers’ strike

    Education International is deeply concerned by local reports indicating that Iranian public authorities responded to a nationwide strike of teachers and education support personnel in primary and secondary schools by expelling teachers from schools and arresting education union leaders.

    Iran: Solidarity with trade union leaders arrested after teachers’ strike