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 30 November 2010

    Chinese teacher fights HIV job discrimination

    An HIV-positive teacher has lodged an appeal against a district court ruling that said an education bureau in China's Eastern Anhui province did not employ him after learning of his HIV status.

    Chinese teacher fights HIV job discrimination
  2. News 10 November 2010

    Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20

    EI will join the Global Unions at the G20 meetings, in Seoul, South Korea, to advocate for investment in education to remain high up the G20 recovery plan. EI will also call on the Korean government to respect trade union rights.

    Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20
  3. News 8 November 2010

    Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor

    EI has launched a new Urgent Action Appeal to call on the Government of Colombia to release Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas, a university professor and trade unionist who has been imprisoned.

    Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor
  4. News 5 November 2010

    Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination

    EI’s Executive Board has approved a resolution of solidarity with the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) and Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEOS).

    Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination
  5. News 28 October 2010

    EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea

    The Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU) has denounced the imminent dismissal of 134 public schools’ teachers and trade unionists by the end of October, violating South Korea Local Education Act.

    EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea
  6. News 22 October 2010

    Turkey: EI condemns further delay in the court decision

    The High Court in Izmir has yet again postponed until 1 February 2011 its decision in the case concerning 31 public sector unionists, including 27 teacher unionists from Egitim Sen.

    Turkey: EI condemns further delay in the court decision
  7. News 21 October 2010

    Northern Cyprus: EI is monitoring court decision

    EI is supportive of teacher unionists in Northern Cyprus which face a condemnation by court on 25 October for protesting at funding cuts in education.

    Northern Cyprus: EI is monitoring court decision
  8. News 19 October 2010

    Chile: Miners rescued, concern remains for workers’ safety

    EI and its affiliate, Colegio de Profesores, have welcomed the successful rescue of 33 miners in Copiapó, Chile, and called on authorities to guarantee workers’ rights to health and safety in the workplace.

    Chile: Miners rescued, concern remains for workers’ safety
  9. News 11 October 2010

    EI condemns coup attempt in Ecuador

    With the overthrow of President Zelaya in Honduras still a fresh memory, EI has condemned the attempted coup in Ecuador, and expressed its commitment to defending the principle of democratically elected governments in all regions.

    EI condemns coup attempt in Ecuador
  10. News 8 October 2010

    Philippines: World Teachers’ Day violently interrupted by military

    EI is concerned to learn from Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) that elements of the Philippine armed forces used aggressive tactics against a peaceful demonstration by teachers on World Teachers’ Day.

    Philippines: World Teachers’ Day violently interrupted by military
  11. News 10 September 2010

    EI demands release of imprisoned Colombian professor

    EI has launched a global on-line petition calling on the Colombian government to release Miguel Ángel Beltrán, a university professor and trade unionist who has been imprisoned on charges that violate his basic right to academic freedom.

    EI demands release of imprisoned Colombian professor
  12. News 9 August 2010

    Korea: EI takes action to support teachers threatened by dismissal

    EI and its affiliate the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU, Jeon Gyo Jo) have called for the withdrawal of a plan to dismiss 183 teachers who made private donations to a political party.

    Korea: EI takes action to support teachers threatened by dismissal
  13. News 4 August 2010

    Colombia: Teacher trade unionist killed as violations continue

    Education International has expressed dismay as news emerged that another teacher trade unionist has been killed in Colombia. This latest murder brings to 17 the total number of teachers that have been killed in 2010 alone.

    Colombia: Teacher trade unionist killed as violations continue
  14. News 4 August 2010

    China: Fatal knife attack in nursery school

    A man went on a deadly rampage as he killed at least three children and one teacher in an unprovoked knife attack at a Chinese nursery school in the city of Zibo, in the eastern province of Shandong.

    China: Fatal knife attack in nursery school
  15. News 26 July 2010

    Brazil: Rio considers bullet-proofing favela schools

    Authorities in Rio de Janeiro have come under renewed pressure to bulletproof up to 200 schools in conflict-stricken areas, after an 11-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet during a maths lesson.

    Brazil: Rio considers bullet-proofing favela schools
  16. News 22 July 2010

    EI and Global Unions advocate for workplace action on AIDS

    EI and the Global Union Federations have been advocating for the active participation of workers in response to the AIDS pandemic as they participate in the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna.

    EI and Global Unions advocate for workplace action on AIDS
  17. News 29 June 2010

    Defending independent teacher unionism in Georgia

    An EI mission visited Georgia on 22-23 June 2010 with the aim of encouraging the Government to refrain from harassing EFSTUG, the EI member organization in Georgia, and to enter into collective bargaining as recommended by the ILO.

    Defending independent teacher unionism in Georgia