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 28 February 2013

    The Gambia: educators’ union celebrates 76th anniversary

    The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) celebrated its 76th anniversary on 16 February.The theme of the celebration was “Enhanced Synergy: an Inevitable Necessity for our Unity”.

    The Gambia: educators’ union celebrates 76th anniversary
  2. News 28 February 2013

    Niger: Teachers union calls on government to negotiate in good faith

    The Syndicat National des Agents de la Formation et de l’Education du Niger(SYNAFEN), one of EI’s national affiliates, has called on the Government to respect the country’s Constitution and urged that dialogue and not force be used to resolve conflict. It made its demands in a Statement published after it...

    Niger: Teachers union calls on government to negotiate in good faith
  3. News 27 February 2013

    Morocco: Congress debates challenges of public education

    The Syndicat national de l'enseignement-Fédération démocratique du travail (SNE-FDT) of Morocco, held its 10th Congress from 22-24 February in Marrakech. The congress theme was “All in defence of public education, the teaching profession, trade union rights and democratic freedoms”.

    Morocco: Congress debates challenges of public education
  4. News 20 February 2013

    Turkey: More than 140 trade unionists arrested

    EI strongly condemns the police raids that have targeted members and leaders of the public sector confederation, KESK, early in the morning on Tuesday, 19 February.

    Turkey: More than 140 trade unionists arrested
  5. News 18 February 2013

    Malaysia: Students to get extra insurance coverage

    The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), one of EI’s national affiliates, has broadly welcomed the government’s announcement of additional insurance being offered to schoolchildren. However, it also called on the Government to address school-bus facilities.

    Malaysia: Students to get extra insurance coverage
  6. News 14 February 2013

    Strong teacher unions are good partners in serious reform

    In a well-received speech delivered at the World Bank, EI Vice-President Dennis van Roekel from the National Education Association/USA has raised some important issues about the Bank’s approach to education sector reform, how that approach impacts on teachers, misses important opportunities for educational improvement and equity ... and where the...

    Strong teacher unions are good partners in serious reform
  7. News 13 February 2013

    France: primary school teachers strike for reform

    The Syndicat national unitaire des instituteurs professeurs des écoles et PEGC - a national school teachers’ trade union (SNUipp-FSU), one of EI's national affiliates, announced that almost six teachers in 10 (58 per cent) went on strike on 12 February to demand a successful reform of school timetables for all...

    France: primary school teachers strike for reform
  8. News 8 February 2013

    EI condemns murder of Tunisian political leader

    EI strongly condemns the killing of Chokri Belaïd, a secular Tunisian political leader. In December 2012, the headquarters of the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT) union federation were attacked, and there were a series of violent repressions of demonstrations in Tunis and across the country.

    EI condemns murder of Tunisian political leader
  9. News 5 February 2013

    Mauritania: pupils against overcrowded classes

    On 28 January, pupils at a secondary school in Aere Mbar, a small village in southern Mauritania, ransacked the school, slightly injuring one of their teachers. They broke and burnt doors, tables and windows. This furious outburst was triggered by severe overcrowding in one of their classes: 105 pupils.

    Mauritania: pupils against overcrowded classes
  10. News 4 February 2013

    EI cherishes centenary of human rights activist

    In December 1955, in Montgomery, USA, a black seamstress refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger, even though this was required by regulations. Her name was Rosa Parks, and she has been called ‘the mother of the freedom movement’. February 4 is the 100th...

    EI cherishes centenary of human rights activist
  11. News 24 January 2013

    Germany: Teachers in most stressful profession

    The Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW) and Verband Bildung und Erziehung(VBE), two of EI’s national affiliates in Germany, have reacted strongly to research showing that teachers, as well as construction workers, are more stressed than other professionals. The study, conducted by the German trade union confederation, DGB, was released on...

    Germany: Teachers in most stressful profession
  12. News 16 January 2013

    USA: Call for strong response to ongoing school shootings

    After another school shooting in Taft, California, EI’s national affiliates, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have expressed their deep shock and reiterated the urgent need to prevent future tragedies.

    USA: Call for strong response to ongoing school shootings
  13. News 15 January 2013

    Costa Rica: ANDE on the road to trade union status

    The Asociación Nacional de Educadores (ANDE), an EI affiliate, has received authorisation to change its legal status from “association” to “trade union” by a bill approved by the Costa Rica Parliament. This initiative will coincide with the organisation’s 70th anniversary.

    Costa Rica: ANDE on the road to trade union status
  14. 21 December 2012

    Dave Lindorff: Heroes or Greedy Moochers at the Public Trough?

    I’ll be brief here. Let’s just note that the heroic teachers who died while courageously trying to protect their kids at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, and the others who survived but stayed to protect the kids, were all part of a school system where the employees...

    Dave Lindorff: Heroes or Greedy Moochers at the Public Trough?
  15. News 19 December 2012

    Canada: Union condemns government’s assault on democracy

    The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), one of EI’s national affiliates, has heavily criticised the Harper Conservative government for pushing Bill C-377 through the House of Commons without a fair debate and without hearing the voices of those affected by the legislation. They describe the bill as mean-spirited, biased and wasteful...

    Canada: Union condemns government’s assault on democracy
  16. News 18 December 2012

    Women trade unionists call for justice for Jalila Khamis Koko

    Jalila Khamis Koko is a teacher from the Sudan, who has been charged on five criminal counts and faces the death penalty; she has been detained for more than nine months, with no charges brought against her until now.

    Women trade unionists call for justice for Jalila Khamis Koko
  17. News 17 December 2012

    US education community shares Newtown’s grief and loss

    EI affiliates in the US, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), have expressed their deep condolences to families, educators and the whole community of Newtown, Connecticut, after a shooting rampage at a school left 26 people dead, including 20 students, on Friday.

    US education community shares Newtown’s grief and loss