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 31 March 2009

    HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy Drawn up by Dominica Union

    The Dominica Association of Teachers launched their Policy on HIV/AIDS for the Teaching Profession in January 2009. The Workplace Policy developed from a process of consultation between the union executive, teachers and People Living with HIV and AIDS.

    HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy Drawn up by Dominica Union
  2. News 31 March 2009

    Ghana: Research leads to new Policy Initiatives

    The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Teachers & Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) have developed both a ‘HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy’ and ‘Policy Recommendations for Achieving Education For All’.

    Ghana: Research leads to new Policy Initiatives
  3. News 31 March 2009

    Teacher Unions Essential Partner in HIV Education

    UNESCO’s recent publication ‘Heroes and villains’ assesses the interaction between the education sector and the AIDS crisis, and highlights the important contribution of teacher unions and the valuable work of the EI EFAIDS Programme in guiding union strategies on AIDS related issues.

    Teacher Unions Essential Partner in HIV Education
  4. News 31 March 2009

    Interview with General Secretary of UNATU

    Teopista Birungi Mayanja, Secretary General of the Uganda National Teachers Union speaks about progress on achieving quality education and responding to HIV and AIDS under the EFAIDS Programme.

    Interview with General Secretary of UNATU
  5. News 25 March 2009

    Schools must remain safe sanctuaries

    The Executive Board of Education International unanimously adopted a declaration calling on the international community, governments, and all parties to conflicts to recognise and respect the right of all children and adults to a safe education in a peaceful environment, and to respect education institutions as safe sanctuaries.

    Schools must remain safe sanctuaries
  6. News 24 March 2009

    Condom use central to the AIDS response

    Education International (EI) reaffirms that correct and consistent use of condoms is an integral aspect of an effective HIV prevention strategy.

    Condom use central to the AIDS response
  7. 23 March 2009

    Island-mainland: Long distance solidarity among teachers

    The gate to the school yard is covered with ugly graffiti, but the murals in the courtyard depict lovely flowers, colourful tropical scenes, and a map of the island of Martinique, an overseas department of France in the eastern Caribbean. We are at the secondary school of Le Vauclin, where...

    Island-mainland: Long distance solidarity among teachers
  8. 20 March 2009

    Teaching under bombardment

    Sri Lanka has for decades been torn apart by the conflict between the Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tigers. Members of a Tamil education union give personal accounts of life and work in the most dangerous areas of the country. To protect the identity of the teachers who had...

    Teaching under bombardment
  9. 20 March 2009

    Beyond Burma: Lessons in hope for refugee children

    Mae Sot, THAILAND — He has the quiet, professional demeanour of a man who prefers the educational sanctuary of the classroom to the dangers of revolutionary politics. Yet Burmese teacher Htay Hlaing spent nine-years incarcerated in a notorious torture prison in his military-ruled homeland for the so-called “crime” of helping...

    Beyond Burma: Lessons in hope for refugee children
  10. News 16 March 2009

    Put People First: Join the pre-G20 demonstration in London on 28 March!

    On 28 March, thousands will march through London as part of a global campaign to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2 April summit on the global financial crisis. Both EI and the International Trade Union Confederation strong urge their member organisations, and in particular those in the G20 countries,...

    Put People First: Join the pre-G20 demonstration in London on 28 March!
  11. News 12 March 2009

    The killing of teachers in Colombia should stop, says EI.

    A total of three teachers were targets of assassination last February in Colombia. Two of them were killed, and one barely survived. EI voices its strong protest to the authorities, requesting a better protection of teachers facing threats to their lives.

    The killing of teachers in Colombia should stop, says EI.
  12. News 11 March 2009

    EI condemns school shooting in Germany

    EI has issued a statement condemning the shooting which took place on 11 March in Winnenden, Germany.

    EI condemns school shooting in Germany
  13. News 9 March 2009

    Farzad Kamangar: New risks and uncertainties

    EI has been informed that Farzad Kamangar (who was sentenced to death on February 25, 2008 on “absolutely zero evidence” according to his lawyer) has been retransferred from Rajaiee Shahr prison to the section 204 of Tehran’s Evin prison. EI is worried about this last development as the reason of...

    Farzad Kamangar: New risks and uncertainties
  14. News 23 February 2009

    AFT Letter to Hillary Clinton Urges Action on Zimbabwe

    The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has sent a letter from president Randi Weingarten to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing the union's concern over the continuing suffering of the Zimbabwean people and urging U.S. leadership to end the reign of terror and devastation wrought by President Mugabe.

    AFT Letter to Hillary Clinton Urges Action on Zimbabwe
  15. News 18 February 2009

    Teacher unions’ leadership in the HIV and AIDS response

    Education International (EI), Education Development Centre (EDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are pleased to announce the release of their new toolkit ‘Leadership in the HIV and AIDS response: A toolkit for teachers’ unions to promote health and improve education’.

    Teacher unions’ leadership in the HIV and AIDS response
  16. News 17 February 2009

    Iran: Government neglect is pushing teachers to take job action

    EI has written to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asking that a social dialogue begin without delay with the representatives of the Iranian teachers. EI has been in regular communication with the Iranian authorities since 2007, following the crackdown on Iranian teachers who believed implementation of the approved Parity Bill would...

    Iran: Government neglect is pushing teachers to take job action
  17. News 3 February 2009

    Son of Iranian trade unionist released from prison

    Sajad Khaksari has been released from prison in Tehran, but only “on condition.” In other words, he is not really free and clear.

    Son of Iranian trade unionist released from prison