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 10 March 2015

    UK teachers’ unions: review of asbestos in schools must be released

    Staff and children continue to be put at risk, say education unions in the United Kingdom, who are urging their government to immediately publish its own review of asbestos management in schools.

    UK teachers’ unions: review of asbestos in schools must be released
  2. News 4 March 2015

    The right to strike worth fighting for in Zimbabwe and Niger

    Teacher unions from Zimbabwe and Niger answered Education International’s call to support the Global Action Day on the Right to Strike by organising and spearheading various activities that stressed the importance of taking labour action.

    The right to strike worth fighting for in Zimbabwe and Niger
  3. News 27 February 2015

    UK: Survey highlights plight of teachers

    The excessive workloads and working hours facing teachers in the UK have been clearly established in figures published by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to mark its annual Work Your Proper Hours Day.

    UK: Survey highlights plight of teachers
  4. News 26 February 2015

    Education heavyweights line up to support the rights of Korean teachers

    The Global Campaign for Education has called on the South Korean authorities to respect the basic union rights of teachers in a powerful statement of solidarity delivered at its world assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Education heavyweights line up to support the rights of Korean teachers
  5. News 23 February 2015

    Safe schools must be a priority in wake of South Sudan mass abduction

    The blatant kidnapping of 89 school boys preparing for exams last week stands as another callous example of the dangers students face in conflict zones, and of the threat education poses to those seeking power.

    Safe schools must be a priority in wake of South Sudan mass abduction
  6. News 18 February 2015

    Harassed Bahraini teacher unionist awarded significant international Prize

    Leaders of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association have won the 2015 Arthur Svensson International Prize for trade union rights for their efforts to promote and strengthen trade unions and trade union rights in their country.

    Harassed Bahraini teacher unionist awarded significant international Prize
  7. News 17 February 2015

    Educators ready to stand-up for their right to strike

    Education International has called on its affiliates to raise their voices and mobilise for the Global Action Day for the Right to Strike, a right that is increasingly being challenged by employers and governments worldwide.

    Educators ready to stand-up for their right to strike
  8. News 12 February 2015

    Italy: government sidesteps social dialogue on teachers

    Italian education unions have gone public to vent their opposition to the government’s vow of silence after calls to kick-start social dialogue on teachers’ employment conditions continue to go unanswered.

    Italy: government sidesteps social dialogue on teachers
  9. News 10 February 2015

    Girls at center of attacks on education

    According to a new report by the United Nations, schools are far from being safe places for girls, who continue to be the main target of attacks in at least 70 countries.

    Girls at center of attacks on education
  10. News 5 February 2015

    African educators: all Nigerian students deserve safe schools and quality education

    The relentless assault on Nigeria’s students, teachers and schools prompted the leader of one of the country’s education unions to call for a united response and an announcement of measures aimed at tackling the violence.

    African educators: all Nigerian students deserve safe schools and quality education
  11. News 2 February 2015

    The Gambia: Union sets up Ebola preparedness and response programme

    Education International has contributed financially to an Ebola prevention strategy in The Gambia. It has helped to fund a communications initiative led by its national affiliate, the Gambia Teachers’ Union.

    The Gambia: Union sets up Ebola preparedness and response programme
  12. News 22 January 2015

    Teachers’ strike highlights Kenya’s education challenges

    A Kenyan school made global headlines on Monday when children, some as young as seven, protesting against the seizure of their playground by property developers, were tear-gassed by police.

    Teachers’ strike highlights Kenya’s education challenges
  13. News 14 January 2015

    Anti-slavery petition sends clear message to UN Secretary General

    When Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi handed over a petition against child slavery to UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, he did so with the support of half-a-million signatures and the backing of Education International.

    Anti-slavery petition sends clear message to UN Secretary General
  14. News 8 January 2015

    What the teachers of Kenya are fighting for

    The fight for decent living conditions and fair salaries are behind the closure of schools in Kenya following the walkout of the country’s public school teachers who are calling for an acceptable collective bargaining agreement.

    What the teachers of Kenya are fighting for
  15. News 7 January 2015

    Denmark’s unions receive ILO support in lockout case

    The Danish Union of Teachers has secured significant endorsement for its actions in a recent ILO decision following a complaint made by the union last August about the government’s intervention in the collective bargaining process.

    Denmark’s unions receive ILO support in lockout case