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 5 March 2008

    Iran: EI joins the Global Action Day on 6 March 2008

    EI joins the International Transport Federation and other Global Union Federations in a Global Action Day in solidarity with Iranian workers and teachers on 6 March 2008.

    Iran: EI joins the Global Action Day on 6 March 2008
  2. News 22 February 2008

    Zimbabwe: EI condemns police beatings of teacher unionists

    Nine members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) were abducted on 19 February for distributing leaflets about the country's education crisis.

    Zimbabwe: EI condemns police beatings of teacher unionists
  3. News 19 February 2008

    Philippines: demonstration against privatization of education ends with police brutality

    A peaceful demonstration organized by teachers and students defending quality public education in the Philippines was violently dispersed by law enforcement officers last January 31. As a result of police brutality, 23 demonstrators were injured. Other 6 demonstrators were arbitrarily arrested.

    Philippines: demonstration against privatization of education ends with police brutality
  4. News 7 February 2008

    Ethiopia: EI deplores judicial dissolution of the ETA

    Gemoraw Kassa, General Secretary of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association and about 30 other members of ETA, on Thursday, February 7th heard the shocking news that their appeal to the Supreme High Court was denied. The court upheld an earlier decision which ordered the ETA to hand over property, other assets,...

    Ethiopia: EI deplores judicial dissolution of the ETA
  5. News 5 February 2008

    Ethiopia: High Level Delegation to provide support to EI affiliate

    A four person EI delegation is currently in Ethiopia to enter into a dialogue with the Ethiopian authorities to press the case for the respect of trade union and human rights. The delegation is composed of the General Secretaries of the British and Ugandan teachers unions, respectively Steve SINNOTT and...

    Ethiopia: High Level Delegation to provide support to EI affiliate
  6. News 21 January 2008

    World AIDS Day: Teachers share experiences of One Hour on AIDS

    In 2007 EI and its affiliates launched a brand new initiative called ‘One Hour on AIDS’ which affords teachers the opportunity to bring the World AIDS Day campaign into the classrooms. As a result, World AIDS Day 2007 saw teachers and children in schools around the world benefiting from a...

    World AIDS Day: Teachers share experiences of One Hour on AIDS
  7. News 21 January 2008

    Ghana, Benin and Burundi: Teacher Unions Make Progress on Training

    EI works with the WHO on a programme dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention and related risky behaviours in schools in Ghana, Benin and Burundi. An EI workshop recently brought teacher unions from these countries together to assess the progress made over the last year and to learn about new EI training...

    Ghana, Benin and Burundi: Teacher Unions Make Progress on Training
  8. News 21 January 2008

    Gabon: HIV/AIDS prevention included in school curriculum

    Last October the National AIDS Committee situated within the Gabonese Ministry of Education (Colusimen) met to develop a harmonised curriculum on HIV/AIDS education. EI welcomes the decision of the Gabonese Government to include HIV/AIDS in the school curriculum.

    Gabon: HIV/AIDS prevention included in school curriculum
  9. News 21 January 2008

    Uganda: Report published on Impact of HIV/AIDS on Education and Teachers

    Last year UNATU commissioned a study entitled 'The impact of HIV/AIDS on Education and Teachers in Uganda' to gather baseline information that will guide the planning and implementation of the EFAIDS programme. The study, which has just been published, provides a valuable analysis of the situation in Uganda.

    Uganda: Report published on Impact of HIV/AIDS on Education and Teachers
  10. News 21 January 2008

    Nepal: two new unions join EFAIDS Programme

    Education International would like to welcome two new unions to the EFAIDS Programme. As of this month, the NNTA (Nepal National Teachers’ Association) and NTA (Nepal Teachers’ Association) will be joining forces to work on EFAIDS. Both unions take the view that this cooperation will serve to greatly further their...

    Nepal: two new unions join EFAIDS Programme
  11. News 21 January 2008

    Brazil: CNTE joins EI in the fight against HIV/AIDS and STDs

    Last October CNTE/Brazil joined the EFAIDS Programme. The union kicked off their programme activities with a national level seminar on STDs and AIDS, which took place in Brasilia from October 2-4.

    Brazil: CNTE joins EI in the fight against HIV/AIDS and STDs
  12. News 21 January 2008

    Mexico: International AIDS Conference, August 3-8, 2008

    The 17th International AIDS Conference is taking place in Mexico City this year from 3-8 August. Representatives of EI will be present at the Conference to ensure that the critical issue of the education sector response to HIV/AIDS is kept firmly on the agenda.

    Mexico: International AIDS Conference, August 3-8, 2008
  13. News 21 January 2008

    Interview with Maria Teresa Cabrera, ADP/Dominican Republic

    Maria Teresa Cabrera is a member of the EI Executive Board, President of the ADP (Dominican Association of Teachers) and the Coordinator of the ADP EFAIDS Programme. The ADP together with teacher unions FAPROUASD and ANPROTEC have just begun implementing EFAIDS activities

    Interview with Maria Teresa Cabrera, ADP/Dominican Republic
  14. News 20 December 2007

    Ethiopia: released on bail, teachers grateful for international solidarity

    EI is pleased to announce that Berhanu Aba-Debisa, Wolde Dana and Wibit Legamo have at last been released on bail. With the support of National Union of Teachers (NUT), from the United Kingdom and EI, the three colleagues are free at last and extend their gratitude for the support received...

    Ethiopia: released on bail, teachers grateful for international solidarity
  15. News 20 December 2007

    Iran: Intimidation of teachers continues

    On 14 December, nine teachers were sentenced to 91 days imprisonment by a criminal court of the province of Hamadan in Iran.

    Iran: Intimidation of teachers continues
  16. News 13 December 2007

    Ethiopia: EI condemns government interference in the union elections

    Teachers throughout Ethiopia have been summoned to meetings with school principals, where teachers are informed they shall elect school representatives for the "Ethiopia Teachers' Association".

    Ethiopia: EI condemns government interference in the union elections
  17. News 13 December 2007

    Teachers mark World AIDS Day with 'One Hour on AIDS' initiative

    EI would like to congratulate its affiliates for their efforts to mobilise their members and society at large to celebrate World AIDS Day 2007 and to launch the new ‘One Hour on AIDS’ initiative with commitment and enthusiasm!

    Teachers mark World AIDS Day with 'One Hour on AIDS' initiative
  18. News 13 December 2007

    St Vincent and the Grenadines: Caribbean unions take EFAIDS a step forward

    In October thirteen unions affiliated to EI came together in Kingston to review their progress on the EFAIDS Programme thus far, to plan for 2008 and to benefit from training on two new toolkits related to gender safe schools and the greater integration of teachers living with HIV and AIDS...

    St Vincent and the Grenadines: Caribbean unions take EFAIDS a step forward