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. 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!"
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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