All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
As seems to become a detestable tradition, leaders and members of the Iranian Teacher Trade Associations have been arrested and detained in the days preceding Labour Day and the National Teachers Day, celebrated on 2 May in Iran.
Iran: Teacher trade unionists continue to be targeted by authorities
On the occasion of 1st May, Education International and the other Global Unions Federations issued a joint statement on behalf of all workers around the world, calling for fresh initiatives to reform the global economy.
May Day: Global Unions call for new paradigm of recovery and social justice
Teachers in Burundi have gone out on strike in protest at the government’s non-payment of two years worth of wages totalling US$43 million.
Burundi: Striking teachers urge the government to pay wages
Education International is leading the way to develop new strategies to end the violence being inflicted upon teachers and members of our global federation.
Colombia: EI takes action to end the killing of teachers
For the past 10 years theColegio de Profesores de Chile(CPC) has been carrying out a project they call the Pedagogical Movement, a unique kind of teacher union research project.
Chile: The “Memory Museum” and the neo-liberal experiment
Colombian teacher Duvian Dario Rojo Cadavid and his wife were enjoying an early evening walk together in the municipal park of their home town of Puerto Berrío when they were shot dead by unknown assailants on 13 March, the day before senatorial elections. Their deaths bring the total number of...
Dreadful toll of assassinations mounts in Colombia
The three EI affiliates in Zambia have agreed to merge to improve their bargaining power and to better enable members to provide quality education to their students.
EI affiliates in Zambia agree to merge
EI has been informed that the High Court in Izmir decided yesterday to postpone until 22 June 2010 its decision in the case concerning 31 public sector unionists, including 27 teachers.
Turkey: EI regrets further delay in the court decision
EI is expecting the decision of the High Court in Izmir today on the case of 31 public sector unionists, including 27 teachers. They are charged with providing “intellectual support to illegal organisations”.
Turkey: EI concerned about the fate of 31 public sector unionists on trial today
The strike committee of the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia (ESFTUG) has decided to postpone the teacher strike due to start on 2 March nationwide.
Georgia: teacher union urges the government to engage in social dialogue
Together with representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Belgian trade union centres FGTB and CGSLB, EI held an audience with the advisor to the Turkish ambassador on 26 Feb in Brussels.
EI joins the international trade union delegation at the Turkish embassy
EI is very concerned about the continuous governmental interference the Iraqi Teachers' Union (ITU) is experiencing. The ITU, an organisation currently applying for EI membership, continues to face extreme attacks from the Iraqi government which wants to control the union.
Iraq: EI protests against the continued harassment of union leaders
Earlier in January, Education International reported that Iranian teacher unionist Farzad Kamangar was facing the imminent danger of being executed. Online support for his appeal came in from individuals worldwide, and raised the number of online messages to more than 9,000.
Update on the case of jailed teacher Farzad Kamangar
An investigation by a courageous human rights lawyer has revealed that an appeal of the death sentence against Iranian teacher trade unionist Farzad Kamangar was sidelined by one of Iran’s most feared prosecutors.
Kamangar appeal sidelined by notorious prosecutor
Education International has been informed that the Iranian authorities have threatened imminent execution of Kurdish activists, including teacher Farzad Kamangar and others.
Iranian Kurdish teacher activist Kamangar in imminent danger of execution
The last teacher unionist imprisoned for his connection with the independent ETA (Ethiopia Teachers Association) in Ethiopia was released on 16 December. Meqcha Mengistu, Chairman of former ETA branch in East Gojam and EFAIDS programme coordinator, was officially pardoned after having served a three year prison term in the Kality...
Ethiopia: last detained teacher activist out of prison
Fears of a return to dictatorship and political violence in Honduras are compounding the grave economic crisis facing countries across Latin America.
Latin America - Teacher unions confront political and economic crises
Southeast Asian teachers who face violations of their trade union rights now have a new line of defence and a new source of solidarity. The EI Trade Union Rights Network (TURN) is really getting off the ground since representatives from member organisations in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand have...
More Rights, Fewer Violations