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. 30 March 2011

    Teachers under fire in Zimbabwe

    Teachers from around the world have condemned reports from Harare which confirm that Zimbabwe’s teachers have been experiencing increased political threats and serious violent attacks since November 2010.

    Teachers under fire in Zimbabwe
  2. 30 March 2011

    Tunisia: the spark that set the Arab world ablaze

    On 17 December 2010, a young vegetable seller named Mohamed Bouazizi burned himself alive in protest at police harassment in a small poverty-stricken town in Tunisia. Within a month the regime of President Ben Ali had fallen, sending shock waves across the entire Arab region.

    Tunisia: the spark that set the Arab world ablaze
  3. News 28 March 2011

    Teacher unions under attack in Bahrain and Yemen

    While teacher unions are determined to continue to voice demands for more freedom and rights in the region, EI keeps receiving worrying reports about attacks against teachers and unionists.

    Teacher unions under attack in Bahrain and Yemen
  4. 25 March 2011

    Collective action against mendacious attacks

    A New Year’s pledge from hardline Republican Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, to remove teachers’ collective bargaining rights, as well as their health benefits and pension entitlements, has brought thousands of pro-union demonstrators on to the streets in all 50 U.S. states in solidarity with the Wisconsin unions.

    Collective action against mendacious attacks
  5. News 25 March 2011

    Teacher unions attacked in Bahrain and Yemen

    While teacher unions are determined to continue to voice demands for more freedom and rights in the region, EI keep receiving worrying reports about attacks against teachers and unionists.

    Teacher unions attacked in Bahrain and Yemen
  6. 24 March 2011

    New Zealand: Teachers under Pressure

    In a recent survey of members, the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) was shocked to discover 86 per cent of teachers experience stress at work, while 24 per cent of respondents said stress levels are ‘of concern’ or ‘intolerable’. The union is tackling this problem everyone needs a way to...

    New Zealand: Teachers under Pressure
  7. News 24 March 2011

    Honduras: EI Executive Board condemns workers’ repression

    The EI Executive Board in Cape Town has condemned the murder of teacher Ilse Ivania Velásquez as a new low in an increasingly deteriorating situation in Honduras.

    Honduras: EI Executive Board condemns workers’ repression
  8. 24 March 2011

    Unions commit to HIV activism to ensure quality education in West Africa

    Challenges to secure quality education in the West African countries of Senegal and Mali include overcrowded classes, over-stretched teachers and under-resourced schools. The impact of HIV and AIDS is another factor with the potential to complicate access and provision of education.

    Unions commit to HIV activism to ensure quality education in West Africa
  9. News 17 March 2011

    Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates

    EI has condemned the suspension of higher education in Bahrain as the brutal repression of pro-democracy protesters demanding political reforms within the kingdom continues.

    Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates
  10. News 17 March 2011

    South Africa: Government must endorse UN policy on human rights

    EI and its national affiliates, SADTU, NAPTO, and SAOU, are urging the Government of South African to sign up to the joint statement on ending violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

    South Africa: Government must endorse UN policy on human rights
  11. News 10 March 2011

    USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights

    Republicans in the Wisconsin state senate have approved a regressive plan to strip public-sector and teacher trade unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.

    USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights
  12. News 3 March 2011

    Cyprus: teacher unions urge Turkey to end political and economic pressure

    Cyprus: Union urges Turkey to end political and economic pressure EI affiliate, the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), has joined other national unions to denounce the impact of AKP policies on education workers in the country.

    Cyprus: teacher unions urge Turkey to end political and economic pressure
  13. News 1 March 2011

    EI combats attacks on teachers' union rights

    The threat from the hard-line Republican Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker to remove teachers’ collective bargaining rights, as well as health and pension benefits, has brought thousands of pro-union activists onto US streets.

    EI combats attacks on teachers' union rights
  14. News 1 March 2011

    Pakistan: Striking teachers win negotiations for better conditions

    More than 7,000 Pakistani teachers have called off their indefinite strike after the Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, issued a special directive in relation to upgrading teachers’ conditions bringing uniformity to pay scales within the education system.

    Pakistan: Striking teachers win negotiations for better conditions