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 4 December 2008

    Zimbabwe: Ten teachers released, but four still incarcerated

    Latest reports from Zimbabwe show that more teachers than originally known were arrested in this week's crackdown by the Mugabe government in response to demonstrations protesting the financial and humanitarian crisis. In fact, of the 14 arrested, four remain in prison.

    Zimbabwe: Ten teachers released, but four still incarcerated
  2. News 3 December 2008

    Zimbabwe: Five teachers among sweep of arrests of union leaders

    Five leaders of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, including PTUZ General Secretary Raymond Majongwe, are among 48 trade unionists who were caught up in a wave of arrests across the country on 3 December.

    Zimbabwe: Five teachers among sweep of arrests of union leaders
  3. News 1 December 2008

    Teachers take the lead on AIDS

    Teachers everywhere are marking World AIDS Day with special lessons, marches, and cultural activities. Education International’s lesson plan called “One Hour on AIDS” is being taught in classrooms around the world, from Peru to Nepal to the Netherlands.

    Teachers take the lead on AIDS
  4. News 27 November 2008

    Iranian teacher unionist still alive, but remains at risk

    Teachers, trade unionists and human rights defenders around the world are mobilising in defence of Farzad Kamangar, an Iranian Kurdish teacher and trade unionist who is at risk of execution.

    Iranian teacher unionist still alive, but remains at risk
  5. News 26 November 2008

    Alert: Iranian teacher unionist could be executed today

    Education International has been informed that Farzad Kamangar, the Iranian Kurdish teacher and social worker sentenced to death on “absolutely zero evidence” according to his lawyer, could be hanged on Wednesday 26 November 2008.

    Alert: Iranian teacher unionist could be executed today
  6. News 25 November 2008

    Guatemala: teacher union leader's life threatened

    Joviel Acevedo has experienced many threats during his career as a union leader, but recently he was shocked to see reports in the media of his own assassination. The Guatemalan Education Workers Union (STEG) is concerned that the false news of their General Secretary's death was meant to threaten and...

    Guatemala: teacher union leader's life threatened
  7. News 14 November 2008

    ‘One Hour on AIDS’ on World AIDS Day

    World AIDS Day 2008 is fast approaching. The day is marked on December 1 and is an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and show solidarity with people affected by the virus.

    ‘One Hour on AIDS’ on World AIDS Day
  8. News 14 November 2008

    Government support for launch of Costa Rican EI EFAIDS Programme

    Costa Rican teacher unions, the Asociación Nacional de Educadores (ANDE) and the Sindicato de Educadores Costarricense (SEC) became the latest unions to join the EI EFAIDS Programme in late October 2008.

    Government support for launch of Costa Rican EI EFAIDS Programme
  9. News 14 November 2008

    Zimbabwe: Education Fails amid Examination Debate

    Zimbabwe’s teacher unions have called for action in the face of the inexorable collapse of the education system that is taking its toll on teachers and students alike.

    Zimbabwe: Education Fails amid Examination Debate
  10. News 14 November 2008

    Signing up for Quality Education in the Dominican Republic

    Firm in its commitment to quality public education, the Dominican teacher union, the Asociación Dominicana de Profesores (ADP), is lobbying the government of the Dominican Republic to double the education budget allocation.

    Signing up for Quality Education in the Dominican Republic
  11. News 14 November 2008

    Gender and AIDS in the Education Sector

    The Commonwealth Secretariat in cooperation with Education International has produced a report on ‘Gender, HIV/AIDS & the Status of Teachers’.

    Gender and AIDS in the Education Sector
  12. News 5 November 2008

    American education unions welcome Obama’s election

    Both the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have enthusiastically welcomed the election of Barack Obama, a “friend of public education,” to the White House.

    American education unions welcome Obama’s election
  13. News 22 October 2008

    Somalia: the end of education

    Five teachers and eight students have been killed, and nearly 30, 000 more students have been deprived of the right to education after the last schools still operating in Somalia’s capital city of Mogadishu were closed in mid-October due to the unacceptable risk of violence.

    Somalia: the end of education
  14. News 16 October 2008

    Report on school violence unjustly targets teachers

    A report on violence in schools published last week by Plan International is sensationalist and unjustly targets teachers, said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen in an address to the first congress of the South African teachers union NAPTOSA on 15 October.

    Report on school violence unjustly targets teachers
  15. News 13 October 2008

    Urgent call to action: Stand up against poverty!

    The Global Call for Action Against Poverty, a growing movement of citizens across the world, is urging everyone once again to stand up and take action against poverty, and for equity and justice.

    Urgent call to action: Stand up against poverty!
  16. News 2 October 2008

    Rwanda: Death of SYPERWA General Secretary Faustin Kanamugire

    Education International regrets to announce the passing of Faustin Kanamugire, General Secretary of the former "Equipes Enseignantes du Rwanda" (EER), now known as the "Syndicat des Personnels de l'Enseignement du Rwanda" (SYPERWA).

    Rwanda: Death of SYPERWA General Secretary Faustin Kanamugire
  17. News 1 October 2008

    Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting

    Iranian teachers trying to attend a trade union meeting have been illegally detained in Iran. Teacher trade unions convened the meeting to give members the opportunity to peacefully discuss possible activities to celebrate World Teachers Day. Every year on 5 October, millions of educators worldwide undertake public activities highlighting that...

    Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting