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 2 March 2017

    Argentina: threats to union leader overshadow new school year

    With continuing threats targeting Roberto Baradel, leader of the Buenos Aires education union, and collective bargaining stalling across the country, Argentina’s teachers are bracing for a difficult start to the new school year.

    Argentina: threats to union leader overshadow new school year
  2. News 1 March 2017

    Turkey: dismissed teachers receive international support

    An international trade union delegation has offered support to the thousands of teachers dismissed by the government, and to Education International’s national affiliate, which has suffered severe political repression since the political crackdown began.

    Turkey: dismissed teachers receive international support
  3. News 1 March 2017

    Amnesty International calls for the release of Iranian academic

    With Ahmadreza Djalali facing the death penalty based on bogus charges of treason, Amnesty International has spearheaded a campaign to free the disaster medicine specialist who has been detained for nearly a year without trial.

    Amnesty International calls for the release of Iranian academic
  4. News 10 February 2017

    Argentina: death threat puts union freedom at grave risk

    A death threat directed at Roberto Baradel, the general secretary of the Argentinian teachers’ union SUTEBA, has driven the union movement to act as many wonder whether their right to organise is now in peril.

    Argentina: death threat puts union freedom at grave risk
  5. News 27 January 2017

    Global movement to eradicate violence and bullying in schools

    Education unions made significant contributions during discussions at the International Symposium on School Violence and Bullying on the roles and abilities of teachers to combat the issue.

    Global movement to eradicate violence and bullying in schools
  6. News 20 December 2016

    Colombian academic speaks about armed conflict and human rights

    Together with Education International Deputy General Secretary David Edwards, Colombian academic Miguel Ángel Beltrán discusses challenges to the implementation of human and trade union rights in his country.

    Colombian academic speaks about armed conflict and human rights
  7. News 15 December 2016

    Caribbean teachers expose failing school infrastructure

    Education unions reveal that the neglect of school building maintenance, inadequate sanitary facilities, mould infested classrooms, crumbling asbestos rooftops, and unprotected power lines are creating serious health and safety hazards in Caribbean schools.

    Caribbean teachers expose failing school infrastructure
  8. News 12 December 2016

    Human rights education goes beyond physical and linguistic borders

    On the heels of International Human Rights Day, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ education programme Speak Truth to Power has launched a free online course for Spanish speakers.

    Human rights education goes beyond physical and linguistic borders
  9. News 8 December 2016

    Niger: united teachers demand that government fulfil its promises

    For the first time ever, education trade unions in Niger have called for a national strike to demand the integration of contract teachers into the civil service, and the payment of wage arrears.

    Niger: united teachers demand that government fulfil its promises
  10. News 6 December 2016

    Education, Human Rights, and Tolerance

    To celebrate International Human Rights Day, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen says we must look to the instruments of the United Nations and its agencies that enshrine those rights in international law and culture.

    Education, Human Rights, and Tolerance