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 26 February 2010

    EI joins the international trade union delegation at the Turkish embassy

    Together with representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Belgian trade union centres FGTB and CGSLB, EI held an audience with the advisor to the Turkish ambassador on 26 Feb in Brussels.

    EI joins the international trade union delegation at the Turkish embassy
  2. News 26 February 2010

    Iraq: EI protests against the continued harassment of union leaders

    EI is very concerned about the continuous governmental interference the Iraqi Teachers' Union (ITU) is experiencing. The ITU, an organisation currently applying for EI membership, continues to face extreme attacks from the Iraqi government which wants to control the union.

    Iraq: EI protests against the continued harassment of union leaders
  3. News 22 February 2010

    Update on the case of jailed teacher Farzad Kamangar

    Earlier in January, Education International reported that Iranian teacher unionist Farzad Kamangar was facing the imminent danger of being executed. Online support for his appeal came in from individuals worldwide, and raised the number of online messages to more than 9,000.

    Update on the case of jailed teacher Farzad Kamangar
  4. News 19 February 2010

    Teacher killed in German school attack

    A teacher was fatally wounded in an attack which took place yesterday morning in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

    Teacher killed in German school attack
  5. 19 February 2010

    Kamangar appeal sidelined by notorious prosecutor

    An investigation by a courageous human rights lawyer has revealed that an appeal of the death sentence against Iranian teacher trade unionist Farzad Kamangar was sidelined by one of Iran’s most feared prosecutors.

    Kamangar appeal sidelined by notorious prosecutor
  6. News 11 February 2010

    Education under attack 2010

    Assassinations, kidnappings, disappearances, illegal imprisonment and torture, mass poisoning, acid attacks, sexual assault, forced recruitment as soldiers or suicide bombers, rocket and mortar attacks, gunfire, aerial bombing, burning, and looting: All these forms of violence have been perpetrated on teachers, students, schools and universities in the past three years, according...

    Education under attack 2010
  7. News 12 January 2010

    Teacher unions research impact of teacher shortages in Côte d’Ivoire

    In September 2008 representatives of IE-SCI, the alliance of Ivorian teacher unions working together on the EI EFAIDS Programme, met with the political and administrative authorities of Bondoukou and San Pedro to present the results of their research into the shortage of teachers and its impact on the education system...

    Teacher unions research impact of teacher shortages in Côte d’Ivoire
  8. News 12 January 2010

    Young offenders benefit from EFAIDS training by the Surinamese unions

    Surinamese teacher unions working on the EI EFAIDS Programme have reached out to almost forty young offenders offering them training on HIV prevention and behaviour change. Catering for the needs of the different age groups, trainers from BvL, SOB and KOB facilitated two one-day workshops at the Santo Boma Reformatory...

    Young offenders benefit from EFAIDS training by the Surinamese unions
  9. News 7 January 2010

    Ethiopia: last detained teacher activist out of prison

    The last teacher unionist imprisoned for his connection with the independent ETA (Ethiopia Teachers Association) in Ethiopia was released on 16 December. Meqcha Mengistu, Chairman of former ETA branch in East Gojam and EFAIDS programme coordinator, was officially pardoned after having served a three year prison term in the Kality...

    Ethiopia: last detained teacher activist out of prison
  10. 22 December 2009

    Teacher unions balance HIV prevention and treatment in AIDS response

    In 2006 governments worldwide committed to achieving universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support on HIV and AIDS by 2010. With current access to anti-retroviral treatment meeting only half the needs and with five new infections for every two people who start treatment, greater investment backed by...

    Teacher unions balance HIV prevention and treatment in AIDS response
  11. 22 December 2009

    More Rights, Fewer Violations

    Southeast Asian teachers who face violations of their trade union rights now have a new line of defence and a new source of solidarity. The EI Trade Union Rights Network (TURN) is really getting off the ground since representatives from member organisations in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand have...

    More Rights, Fewer Violations
  12. 22 December 2009

    Now, this time, another world is possible

    “We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning.” U.S. President Barack Obama, Cairo, 4 June 2009

    Now, this time, another world is possible
  13. News 15 December 2009

    Iran: Farzad Kamangar still at risk of being executed

    Jafar Ebrahimi, the teacher trade unionist that was held in jail simply for trying to organise a union meeting, was freed on bail in December. However, EI remains concerned about the continued detention of Farzad Kamangar, Rasoul Bodaghi and Hashem Khastar. EI addressed a letter to the Supreme Leader Ali...

    Iran: Farzad Kamangar still at risk of being executed
  14. News 14 December 2009

    One Ethiopian colleague still detained

    Thanks to the constant pressure of the international community, many of the detained colleagues from the former ETA (now NTA) have been released. Only one, Meqcha Mengistu, is still held captive in Kality prison in Addis Ababa.

    One Ethiopian colleague still detained