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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 27 May 2015

    Zimbabwe: Teachers advancing a rights culture

    Helping teachers to embrace their universal rights in and outside of the classroom was the focus of hands-on training sessions held in Zimbabwe last month to foster a strong culture of rights.

    Zimbabwe: Teachers advancing a rights culture
  2. 20 May 2015

    “I can be sent back to prison at any time»

    Sakine Esen Yilmaz and Mehmet Bozgeyik, the current and former general secretaries of the Turkish education union, E?itim Sen, are to be presented with the FNV’s « Febe Elisabeth Vasquez » prize at the end of May. The prize is awarded to trade union leaders who have fought for human...

    “I can be sent back to prison at any time»
  3. News 20 May 2015

    The Netherlands: Turkish trade union leaders awarded

    Two Turkish trade unionists have been awarded the Febe Elisabeth Velasquez trade union award 2015 for their exceptional trade union work by the biggest trade union confederation in the Netherlands.

    The Netherlands: Turkish trade union leaders awarded
  4. News 24 April 2015

    Former SUNY professor dies in drone strike

    The international higher education community mourns the death of an American colleague, Dr Warren Weinstein, who was held hostage by al-Qaida on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan since 13 August 2011.

    Former SUNY professor dies in drone strike
  5. News 22 April 2015

    USA: #BringBackOurGirls from Nigeria, say American educators

    One year after their abduction by Boko Haram terrorists, two female Nigerian students who escaped their kidnappers were hosted by American education unionists who renewed their pledge to see the remaining kidnapped students returned to their families.

    USA: #BringBackOurGirls from Nigeria, say American educators
  6. News 16 April 2015

    Norway: Collective agreement a victory for teachers

    A strike by 17 teachers at a privately-run government funded school north of Oslo in Norway has ended, representing a victory for the teachers who were on strike since 18 March.

    Norway: Collective agreement a victory for teachers
  7. News 10 April 2015

    Education awards go to Iraqi and Filipino leaders

    Education International has named two teacher union leaders from Iraq and the Philippines to be awarded human rights and education prizes for their outstanding commitment, engagement and courage in promoting education for all.

    Education awards go to Iraqi and Filipino leaders
  8. News 2 April 2015

    Kenya: Education community in mourning after attack on university

    Educators in Kenya have expressed their deepest sympathy to families and friends of over 140 students killed by Islamist gunmen in the town of Garissa in north-eastern Kenya today.

    Kenya: Education community in mourning after attack on university
  9. News 1 April 2015

    Global Labour University offers a course on workers' rights in a global economy

    What are global workers’ rights? Which institutions and instruments can be used to realise them? The Global Labour University has launched an online course on Workers’ Rights in a Global Economy to help answer these questions, among others.

    Global Labour University offers a course on workers' rights in a global economy
  10. News 16 March 2015

    UK: Government publishes schools asbestos review

    The UK government has published the findings of its asbestos policy in schools review after bowing to education unions’ sustained pressure to go public, but critics say if still falls short.

    UK: Government publishes schools asbestos review
  11. News 13 March 2015

    Myanmar: trade unions condemn the terrible crackdown on students

    Education International has demanded that Myanmar’s public authorities stop the violent crackdown on student protests calling for changes to the National Education Law, and include them along educators’ representatives in the parliamentary discussions.

    Myanmar: trade unions condemn the terrible crackdown on students
  12. News 13 March 2015

    Korea: Unions defend teachers on multiple fronts

    Korean teacher unions are actively defending their members’ status in moves to ensure that teachers’ pensions are protected benefit and that legal assistance is on-hand to protect their rights.

    Korea: Unions defend teachers on multiple fronts