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 June 2011

    Swaziland: Teachers demand freeze of King’s assets

    Almost 3,000 teachers in Swaziland have marched to the South African and US embassies to insist on an international asset freeze against the country’s absolute ruler, King Mswati III, alleging corruption and mismanagement of national resources.

    Swaziland: Teachers demand freeze of King’s assets
  2. News 9 June 2011

    EI demands the urgent application of core labour standards

    “In many countries, core labour standards are far from fully applied for the teaching profession” EI’s representative told the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

    EI demands the urgent application of core labour standards
  3. News 27 May 2011

    Trade unions protest against anti-union crackdown in Bahrain

    A delegation of international, European and Belgian trade unions, including Education International (EI), delivered a letter of protest to the Bahrain Embassy in Brussels on 26 May to condemn the on-going attacks on the trade unionists in Bahrain. Embassy officials refused to give an audience to the delegation led by...

    Trade unions protest against anti-union crackdown in Bahrain
  4. News 18 May 2011

    Crucial role of Teacher Unions’ voices in HIV/AIDS prevention worldwide

    The EI EFAIDS Closing Conference, held in Brussels on 16-17 May, came to an end with the session "On the path to 2015." Affiliates and partner organisations representatives from far and wide reflected on lessons learned as well as on teacher unions’ role and sustainability within Education for All (EFA)...

    Crucial role of Teacher Unions’ voices in HIV/AIDS prevention worldwide
  5. News 16 May 2011

    Iraq withdraws recognition of trade unions

    Education International (EI) has condemned the recent interference of the Iraqi government in the internal affairs of the Iraqi trade unions.

    Iraq withdraws recognition of trade unions
  6. News 16 May 2011

    Teacher unions look forward to building on successful EFAIDS programme

    Education International (EI) brought together affiliates and representatives of partner organisations, which were involved in the EFAIDS programme, for the Closing Conference of the project, on 16-17 May in Brussels. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the right to education for each child, and, as a consequence, their continued...

    Teacher unions look forward to building on successful EFAIDS programme
  7. News 12 May 2011

    Yemen: 20 teachers killed since protests began

    EI affiliate member, the Yemeni Teachers’ Syndicate (YTS) has denounced the serious escalation in violence against teacher trade unionists in the country as protests grow against the 32-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

    Yemen: 20 teachers killed since protests began
  8. News 10 May 2011

    Georgia: Worst European country for human and trade union rights

    Fifty trade union organisations and NGOs’ representatives from all over Europe, will come together on 6 June in Brussels, Belgium, deploring that Georgia is rapidly becoming the Europe’s black sheep concerning workers’ rights.

    Georgia: Worst European country for human and trade union rights
  9. News 5 May 2011

    UAE cracks down on teacher association

    EI has condemned the brutal takeover of the Teachers’ Association in the United Arab Emirates, a prominent civil society organisation calling for greater democracy in the country.

    UAE cracks down on teacher association
  10. News 21 April 2011

    UK: Unionists back Zimbabwe Vigil

    The UK Trades Union Congress (TUC) has supported the lunchtime Vigil organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, UK.

    UK: Unionists back Zimbabwe Vigil
  11. News 19 April 2011

    Mauritania: teachers urge government to negotiate

    EI’s Mauritanian affiliate Syndicat National de l’Enseignement Secondaire (SNES) has joined forces with Syndicat Indépendant des Professeurs de l'Enseignement Secondaire (SIPES) to call for a three-day strike from 8-10 May in order to bring the Government of Mauritania to the negotiation table.

    Mauritania: teachers urge government to negotiate
  12. News 19 April 2011

    Students return to Brazil school where gunman shot 12

    Students have returned to the school in Brazil where a gunman killed 12 children on 7 April. Those killed were between 10 and 13 years old, and all but two were girls.

    Students return to Brazil school where gunman shot 12
  13. News 19 April 2011

    UK teachers awarded millions in compensation

    The NASUWT, one of the largest teacher unions in the UK, has secured millions of pounds in compensation for its members who suffered accidents, assaults and injuries suffered on school grounds in 2010.

    UK teachers awarded millions in compensation
  14. News 8 April 2011

    Yemen: Violence against teachers continues

    The Yemen Teachers Syndicate asserts that at least three teachers have been killed during the past two weeks of unrest. "We know of three teachers that were shot during the recent protests," says Yehya Alinai, spokesperson for the Syndicate.

    Yemen: Violence against teachers continues
  15. News 8 April 2011

    EI expresses solidarity following school shooting in Brazil

    On behalf of teachers and education workers around the world, Education International extends sincere condolences to the families and school community of the victims of the tragic shooting that took place on 7 April in Tasso da Silveira primary school in the Realengo district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    EI expresses solidarity following school shooting in Brazil