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 12 March 2021

    Vaccine nationalism and crisis profiteering: Unions take action

    “Just 10 countries, some of the richest in the world, have administered 75% of vaccinations. Meanwhile, around 130 countries that account for 2.5 billion people have not administered a single dose. This is not an issue on which we can afford to be passive. The only solution to a global...

    Vaccine nationalism and crisis profiteering: Unions take action
  2. News 5 March 2021

    Nigeria: students and schools must be protected from attacks

    Attacks from armed groups against schools and students have been increasing in the last months in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom is a widespread criminal enterprise. Nigerian authorities must act swiftly to protect the right to education of children, especially girls.

    Nigeria: students and schools must be protected from attacks
  3. News 5 March 2021

    Africa: Governments must act urgently to protect educators and build stronger education systems

    During its virtual meeting from 23-25 February, the Education International Africa Regional Committee (EIARC) urged regional governments to act swiftly to ensure decent living and working conditions for educators. Proactive measures were needed to guarantee quality education on the continent in the face of challenges including the pandemic, terrorism, and...

    Africa: Governments must act urgently to protect educators and build stronger education systems
  4. Statements 4 March 2021

    Statement | Education International calls on governments to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and other medical products by waiving intellectual property rights

    Education International, the global federation of education unions, urges Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to support the “Waiver from certain provisions of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19".

    Statement | Education International calls on governments to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and other medical products by waiving intellectual property rights
  5. News 24 February 2021

    Mexico: COVID-19 issues feature in SNTE demands

    The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many of the issues put together by the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) for its 2021 list of national demands.

    Mexico: COVID-19 issues feature in SNTE demands
  6. News 23 February 2021

    Iraq: Teachers praise KTU training on quality remote education

    Training sessions by the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) have participants wanting more training – and generated more participants! This year alone, the KTU has trained 54 teachers on teaching methods related to new technologies and remote teaching and learning. This successful training endeavour is part of its programme of training...

    Iraq: Teachers praise KTU training on quality remote education
  7. News 22 February 2021

    General strike shuts down Myanmar

    Update 9 March 2021 | As the military junta has escalated its use of undue force against peaceful protesters, Myanmar workers won’t let fear and violence silence them. They are determined to continue the peaceful civil disobedience movement against the illegal military junta. In a joint statement, Myanmar labour organisations...

    General strike shuts down Myanmar
  8. News 18 February 2021

    Iraq: Academics’ freedom and trade union rights under attack

    The Association of Iraqi Academics (AIA) has warned against the abrogation of the law allowing Iraqi academics to perform trade union activities. It has also called for solidarity with them and support for their rights of association and organisation.

    Iraq: Academics’ freedom and trade union rights under attack
  9. News 17 February 2021

    Jordan: Education International condemns dissolution of teachers’ union and detention of leaders

    [Update] Education International is calling on workers and unionists to urge the Jordanian authorities to immediately stop harassing the leaders of the Jordanian Teachers Association (JTA) and threatening its very existence. At least 18 JTA teacher unionists were arrested in Irbid, Jordan on Monday 15 February.

    Jordan: Education International condemns dissolution of teachers’ union and detention of leaders
  10. News 15 February 2021

    Education unions defend and promote academic freedom around the world!

    Academic freedom is in a dire state globally, according to attendees at the recent International Further and Higher Education and Research Conference (IFHERC). Organised virtually by Education International, the conference also expressed its solidarity with harassed and imprisoned academics worldwide, especially in Myanmar and Hong Kong.

    Education unions defend and promote academic freedom around the world!
  11. News 5 February 2021

    Iraq: Ongoing trade union training to provide quality remote education

    The Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) has moved forward with its programme aiming to equip educators with the necessary skills to use new teaching methods related to new technologies and remote teaching and learning.

    Iraq: Ongoing trade union training to provide quality remote education
  12. News 5 February 2021

    Cape Verde: No to COVID-19 and gender-based violence in schools!

    The Federaçao Caboverdiana dos Professores (FECAP) in Cape Verde is campaigning to provide educators with sufficient tools to fight the COVID-19 outbreak and gender-based violence in education institutions.

    Cape Verde: No to COVID-19 and gender-based violence in schools!
  13. News 4 February 2021

    Myanmar: Teachers’ union condemns military coup

    The Myanmar Teachers’ Federation (MTF) is engaging in civil disobedience along with others to protest the military coup of Monday, 1 February. The MTF and other unions issued statements condemning the coup and called for the release of arrested political leaders.

    Myanmar: Teachers’ union condemns military coup