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 January 2009

    Iran: Son of teacher trade unionist detained

    Sajad Khaksari, the 25-year-old son of one of Iran’s leading teacher trade unionists, was arrested on 28 January in Tehran and remains in custody.

    Iran: Son of teacher trade unionist detained
  2. News 28 January 2009

    Labour movement proposes solutions in Davos

    Education International will be among the global and national trade unions with a strong message to deliver at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

    Labour movement proposes solutions in Davos
  3. News 22 January 2009

    African Unions Share EFAIDS Vision at Joint Workshop

    Representatives of teacher unions from 24 countries across Africa met in Accra, Ghana during the first week of December to attend the annual EI EFAIDS evaluation and planning workshop.

    African Unions Share EFAIDS Vision at Joint Workshop
  4. News 22 January 2009

    Dutch Schools Go Artistic for World AIDS Day

    Dutch unions AOb and CNV Onderwijs, the EFAIDS partners in the Netherlands, got creative with their plans for World AIDS Day 2008. The education unions coordinated Art for AIDS workshops in a number of schools.

    Dutch Schools Go Artistic for World AIDS Day
  5. 19 January 2009

    Finns work for safe schools

    “When I first heard the terrible news from Kauhajoki I was shocked: Not again!” said Erkki Kangasniemi, President of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ).

    Finns work for safe schools
  6. 16 January 2009

    Positive about rights

    EI’s programme linking Education for All and HIV/AIDS education, called EFAIDS, now is active in 50 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Caribbean.

    Positive about rights
  7. 16 January 2009

    Trade union rights are human rights

    Trade union rights are human rights. They are protected by international and regional treaties, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and others.

    Trade union rights are human rights
  8. 16 January 2009

    Everyone has the right to education

    The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very clear: for 60 years, children throughout the world, regardless of race, class, gender, abilities, or disabilities, should have enjoyed the right to education. However the truth is: 72 million children are out of school and one in five adults (one in...

    Everyone has the right to education
  9. 16 January 2009

    Enduring relevance 60 years on

    Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world...

    Enduring relevance 60 years on
  10. News 14 January 2009

    Global Union representatives in the US to show support for the Employee Free Choice Act

    Anti-unionism is a widespread phenomenon in the USA. Senator Bill Hare of Illinois from the Democratic Party spoke to a global union gathering in Washington DC on 13 January on the Employee Free Choice Act. The Act is a legislation proposed to ensure that workers have a free choice and...

    Global Union representatives in the US to show support for the Employee Free Choice Act
  11. 9 January 2009

    Letter from Iran: "Let my heart keep beating!"

    Below is a moving letter from Farzad Kamangar, a 33-year-old Kurdish teacher unionist sentenced to death by Iranian courts, after a quick and unfair trial. The text of the letter is below, and it was written from the death row in the Evin Prison in Iran.

    Letter from Iran: "Let my heart keep beating!"
  12. News 22 December 2008

    Farzad Kamangar still at risk in the Evin Prison

    EI has been informed that on December 18, Farzad Kamangar complained of severe pain and low blood pressure due to a chin inflammation, and he was again denied access to medical treatment.

    Farzad Kamangar still at risk in the Evin Prison
  13. News 19 December 2008

    Caribbean union renew their commitment to the EFAIDS Programme

    Twenty four unionists from across twelve Caribbean countries met in St Lucia for the Caribbean regional workshop of the EI EFAIDS Programme. During the four day meeting participants evaluated 2008 activities and finalised plans for 2009, and together developed new strategies to tackle education and AIDS topics.

    Caribbean union renew their commitment to the EFAIDS Programme
  14. News 19 December 2008

    Teachers bring Courage, Hope and Cooperation to the HIV/AIDS response

    CARVEE, a new inter-union network to support Senegalese teachers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, emerged from the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Dakar from December 3- 7.

    Teachers bring Courage, Hope and Cooperation to the HIV/AIDS response
  15. Publications

    Education International Trade Union Rights Manual: A practical guide for unions defending their rights

    10 December 2008

    The EI Trade Union Rights Manual shows how teacher organisations can draw the world’s attention in cases of local threats to freedom of association, collective bargaining, and workers’ rights. It describes international mechanisms that unions can call on to urge their country to live up to its commitments in support...

    Education International Trade Union Rights Manual: A practical guide for unions defending their rights
    1. Download
  16. News 9 December 2008

    Teachers Spread the Word on World AIDS Day

    Around the globe teachers and students led the massive outpouring of solidarity on World AIDS Day within their schools, workplaces and communities. EI’s engaging activity ‘One Hour on AIDS’ was just one of the ways that teachers and their unions showed their commitment to educating about HIV and AIDS issues...

    Teachers Spread the Word on World AIDS Day
  17. News 9 December 2008

    International Human Rights Day: Education International launches new Trade Union Rights Manual

    Education International, the global voice of teachers and the world’s largest international union federation, is strengthening its support of national unions and workers’ rights by publishing its Trade Union Rights Manual, a guide for union activists around the world. The launch of the Manual is to coincide with the 60th...

    International Human Rights Day: Education International launches new Trade Union Rights Manual