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.
Korean teacher unionists are facing disciplinary measures for requesting the withdrawal of a proposed government measure to take full government control over the contents of history textbooks.
South Korea: government threatens to take control over history textbooks used in schools
In a decision being applauded by the Teachers’ Union of Serbia, the country’s constitutional court has overturned a law limiting employees in the public sector that specifically targeted and discriminated women.
Serbia: trade union struggle contributes to ending discrimination against female public servants
Mahdi Abu Dheeb, president of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association, is said to be in poor health and is being refused medical treatment as he continues to serve a five year prison sentence.
Bahrain: union president in need of urgent medical help
Education International has brought its full support to Hilal Akrout, a teacher unionist, as well as all education workers arbitrarily detained in Yemen, and demands respect for the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people of Yemen.
Plight of missing Yemeni teacher unknown as efforts to secure his release continue
Fourteen teacher unionists have been detained in a Tehran detention centre for a couple of hours on 7 October for scheduling a peaceful protest, and threatened to be arrested again if participating in the protest planned for 8 October.
Iran: intensified pressure on teacher unionists
On the heels of a major free trade agreement among Pacific nations, trade unions are reminding the world that decent work not only matters, but that it is the linchpin for fair and equal societies.
World Day for Decent Work targets corporate greed
Although Kenyan teachers are back in the classroom after court rulings ended both their month of labour action and halted the government’s plan to hire 70,000 replacement teachers, the biggest issue remains unresolved.
Kenya: Teachers return to school despite ongoing struggle
Kenyan affiliates of Education International (EI) are on strike until an appeal on non-payment of teachers’ pay rises and allowances is heard.
Kenya: Teachers’ pay rise waits on Court of Appeal decision
Education International (EI) Kenyan affiliates are on strike until an appeal on non-payment of teachers’ pay rises and allowances is heard.
Kenya: Teachers’ pay rise waits on Court of Appeal decision
Together with union federations and other independent unions from Burkina Faso gathered within the Union Action Unit, Education International’s member unions strongly acted to end the recent coup that took place in the country.
Burkina Faso: teachers' unions and civil society decisive in ending of the coup
Following two months of continuous action, Nepalese teachers have been invited by the Ministry of Education to discuss crucial issues such as the public education system and rebuilding works after the earthquakes.
Nepal: successful teachers’ action opens negotiations with Ministry
The teachers’ union Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö has joined over 30,000 workers from all sectors to demonstrate in Helsinki, Finland, to oppose the planned governmental anti-union laws anddefend trade union negotiation rights.
Finland: trade union front to defend negotiation rights
The people seeking refuge in Europe are among the thousands driven from their homes every year in fear of their lives because of violent conflict, political and economic instability, natural disasters, or extreme poverty.
EI statement on the refugee situation: we must take collective action
Teachers have been challenged to take the lead in speaking out against barriers undermining the teaching profession during a three-day training workshop on ‘Teacher Effectiveness’ held in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia.
Liberia: teachers urged to 'stand up for your rights'
Education International strongly supports its affiliates in Kenya, who have been waiting for 18 years for a promised pay rise, recently restated by a Supreme Court decision.
Kenya: teachers demand overdue pay rise
The new school year in Iran looms with threats of increased intimidation, arrest and prosecution of teachers, union activists and those who dare to speak up in favour of quality education for all.
Iran: Teachers face new round of government repression
Students in Germany are increasingly sharing the same classroom regardless of their disabilities, says a new study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, but in some schools and regions, inclusion is still an out-of-reach target.
Germany: inclusion in schools on the rise, but still facing challenges
The Human and Trade Union Rights Policy Paper describes how human and trade union rights strengthen the work of education unions and provide a mandate for them to act on behalf of their members. This Policy Paper reflects the values and objectives promoted by EI through its constitution, policies and...