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.
On the United Nations' International Day in Support of Victims of Torture - observed every year on 26 June - EI pays tribute to the innocent trade union rights activists who are subjected to moral harassment, intimidation, physical assaults and torture for defending fundamental human rights.
EI pays tribute to trade union victims on UN Day supporting victims of torture
Trade unionists, including educators from across Africa and from around the world have called for an official ILO Commission of Inquiry into Zimbabwe, as more reports of torture and murder of trade unionists emerge from the country.
Zimbabwe: Trade Unions Call for ILO Commission of Inquiry
Zimbabwean teachers are being severely targeted in the brutal reprisals now being meted out as Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party desperately cling to power. EI’s affiliate the Zimbabwe Teacher Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) both reported violence against teachers in the rural areas.
Zimbabwe: Two teachers dead, three more missing
Harassment and intimidation of teachers and their trade unions continues in Zimbabwe in the lead-up to the June 27 election to determine whether Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF or his opposition challenger Morgan Tsvangirai will win the presidency.
Zimbabwe: Teacher unionists under attack again
Education International has taken up the cause of Farzad Kamangar, a 32-year-old Iranian teacher and trade unionist who has been repeatedly tortured in custody and sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
EI appeals on behalf of Iranian teacher unjustly facing death penalty
The Iraqi Teachers’ Union (ITU) is calling on its members and branch leaders to be vigilant in protecting their organisation from being used by any political party or group in the months leading up to the governorate elections expected before October.
Iraqi Teachers’ Union asserts its independence from all political blocs
Teachers and human and trade union rights activists worldwide are invited to support their colleagues in Zimbabwe by responding to theEI Urgent Action Appeal . So far, over a dozen teacher unions have condemned the violations of basic human and trade union rights against teachers.
Zimbabwe: Solidarity with teachers and trade unionists
Trade union leaders from the G8 countries and global labour organizations called for action from the G8 on the worsening jobs situation and the global food crisis at a meeting in Tokyo with the Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 13 May as part of the preparations for the G8...
International labour leaders call for action from the G8
EI strongly protests the arrest of Raymond Majongwe, the General Secretary of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ). Majongwe was picked up by the police on May 15 at the High Court of Zimbabwe where he was attending a hearing in which leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade...
Zimbabwe: Another trade unionist arrested
Violence continues in Zimbabwe following the drawn out election process and affects particularly trade unionists and teachers. The EI affiliate ZIMTA witnessed "many teachers in rural areas being killed, maimed, wantonly tortured and abused".
Zimbabwe: Violence hits teachers
Educators around the world are condemning the latest brutal assassinations of teacher trade unionists in Colombia. On 1 April, Emerson Ivan Herrera Ruales and Luz Mariela Diaz Lopez lost their lives at the hands of unknown gunmen who shot them as they made their way to work in the morning.
Colombia: more teachers murdered
Education International has received chilling reports about political retribution against teachers in Zimbabwe. This comes in the aftermath of general elections held on 30 March.
EI condemns post-election violence against teachers in Zimbabwe
Iran’s relentless intimidation and harassment of teachers shows no sign of abating. Indeed, the worsening situation has caused human rights defenders to speak out about a crackdown by the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran: Crackdown on activists
The brutal cycle of violence against teacher trade unionists in Colombia continues.
Colombia: Lives of teacher trade unionists remain at risk
Together with other Global Union Federations and civil society partners, EI took part in the Global Action Day for Solidarity in front of the Embassy of Iran in Brussels on March 6, 2008.
EI participates in the Global Action Day in solidarity with Iranian Workers
EI joins the International Transport Federation and other Global Union Federations in a Global Action Day in solidarity with Iranian workers and teachers on 6 March 2008.
Iran: EI joins the Global Action Day on 6 March 2008
Nine members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) were abducted on 19 February for distributing leaflets about the country's education crisis.
Zimbabwe: EI condemns police beatings of teacher unionists
A peaceful demonstration organized by teachers and students defending quality public education in the Philippines was violently dispersed by law enforcement officers last January 31. As a result of police brutality, 23 demonstrators were injured. Other 6 demonstrators were arbitrarily arrested.
Philippines: demonstration against privatization of education ends with police brutality