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 January 2021

    Best wishes for 2021!

    Education International sends its best wishes to everyone from the global education community for this new year. With the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening lives, we will continue our struggle for a safe and healthy return to the classroom for teachers, education support personnel, and students. We will also do our...

    Best wishes for 2021!
  2. News 17 December 2020

    Mexico: COVID-19 must be considered an occupational disease

    The Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) has asked the Mexican Ministry of Public Education to ensure that COVID-19 is considered an occupational disease. This is just one measure to facilitate the safe return to presential teaching and learning.

    Mexico: COVID-19 must be considered an occupational disease
  3. News 17 December 2020

    Nigeria: Education International calls for immediate release of students kidnapped by jihadist group

    On 13 December, at least 600 teenagers were kidnapped by Boko Haram at the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, northwest Nigeria. Education International, the global union federation representing educators, has joined the international community in calling for the safe release of the 300 teenagers still in captivity.

    Nigeria: Education International calls for immediate release of students kidnapped by jihadist group
  4. News 14 December 2020

    Education International and UNESCO call for educators to be considered a priority group in COVID-19 vaccinations

    Today, on the 60th anniversary of the Convention that promotes the universal right to education, Education International and UNESCO published a joint message calling on governments and the international community to consider teachers and education support personnel as a priority group in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The call came as some...

    Education International and UNESCO call for educators to be considered a priority group in COVID-19 vaccinations
  5. News 14 December 2020

    Germany: Early childhood education staffing under enormous stress

    Education unions in Germany have asked public authorities to better recognise the role played by early childhood educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have asked for increased resources for staffing and funding in the KiTa – early childhood education (ECE) schools.

    Germany: Early childhood education staffing under enormous stress
  6. Statements 10 December 2020

    Statement | Situation in Belarus

    Education International and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) stand in solidarity with workers, students, teachers and academics and all citizens of Belarus.

    Statement | Situation in Belarus
  7. News 10 December 2020

    Malaysia: Union solidarity for remote education for marginalised students

    Education International has joined the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) to support Malaysian students from poor and marginalised communities to access online classes crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Malaysia: Union solidarity for remote education for marginalised students
  8. News 9 December 2020

    Education International responds to terrorist attacks in Mozambique with support for member organisation ONP

    On 9 December, Education International’s Executive Board adopted a resolution on terrorism in Mozambique and the need for international support and relief for teachers and other victims. The Education International member organisation, the Organizaçao Nacional dos Professores (ONP), has reported the recent assassination of six teachers.

    Education International responds to terrorist attacks in Mozambique with support for member organisation ONP
  9. News 9 December 2020

    Education International urges government intervention to stop union-busting in Kenya

    Today, 9 December, Education International’s Executive Board has adopted a resolution calling on the Government of Kenya to urge the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the national employer authority in education, to desist from a campaign of discrimination against the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). The Government must urge the...

    Education International urges government intervention to stop union-busting in Kenya
  10. News 9 December 2020

    Iraq: Modern teaching methods focus of education union’s teacher training

    The use of modern teaching methods was at the heart of professional development training organised by the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU), with the support of Education International (EI), in the Raparin, Koya and Akra regions.

    Iraq: Modern teaching methods focus of education union’s teacher training
  11. News 9 December 2020

    Portugal: Union calls for strike to force government to negotiate

    In Portugal, the Federaçao Nacional dos Professores (FENPROF) has urged educators to go on strike on 11 December. The national action is intended to put pressure on the government and members of Parliament, demanding respect for the profession, improvement of their working and living conditions, and a solution to the...

    Portugal: Union calls for strike to force government to negotiate
  12. News 8 December 2020

    Korea: Educators mourn the death of Lee Dong-Jin, a great education union leader

    Education International and the global education union community is saddened by the passing on 6 December of Lee Dong-Jin (68), a great education unionist, former leader of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) and former member of Education International’s Executive Board.

    Korea: Educators mourn the death of Lee Dong-Jin, a great education union leader
  13. News 8 December 2020

    WIPO’s missed opportunity to produce guidance on copyright exceptions hits education during pandemic

    A legal instrument on copyright exceptions for the use of materials for teaching, learning, research, and the work of cultural heritage organisations is still not available. According to Education International, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) missed an opportunity at its recent Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)...

    WIPO’s missed opportunity to produce guidance on copyright exceptions hits education during pandemic
  14. News 7 December 2020

    Portugal: Education union calls for adequate framework to ensure the health and safety of teachers in risk groups

    The Federação Nacional da Educação has condemned the fact that the lack of a clear and appropriate national framework to regulate leaves during the pandemic has led to nearly all teachers belonging to high-risk groups still being present in class to teach.

    Portugal: Education union calls for adequate framework to ensure the health and safety of teachers in risk groups
  15. News 4 December 2020

    UK: Education unions react to Department for Education request to authorities to address accountability, workload, funding, qualifications, and inspections

    Teacher unions in the UK have reacted to announcements by the Department for Education (DfE), requesting public authorities to better address educators’ workload, accountability, pay and funding to ensure quality education for all.

    UK: Education unions react to Department for Education request to authorities to address accountability, workload, funding, qualifications, and inspections