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. Publications

    Trade union rights toolkit

    8 December 2022

    To support education unions everywhere in their struggle to defend their members’ rights, Education International has developed the Trade Union Rights Toolkit. The toolkit aims to equip education unions to formulate cases when their rights are violated and defend their cases based on the fundamental rights of the global community.

    Trade union rights toolkit
    1. Download
  2. News 1 July 2024

    Education unions call on ILO to ensure implementation of UN recommendations on the teaching profession

    At the 112th session of the International Labour Conference, the delegation of Education International brought attention to the recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession as the new landmark instrument for governments to engage with teacher unions, aiming to improve the status of education workers and...

    Education unions call on ILO to ensure implementation of UN recommendations on the teaching profession
  3. News 25 June 2024

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy

    "This year’s report makes for difficult reading – a clear and urgent wake-up call that the future of democracy and fundamental rights agreed by most countries at an international level are at risk”, warned Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary, as introduction to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index .

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy
  4. Research

    Impact on Afghan Teachers of the Restrictions on the Right to Learn and to Teach

    Research on Teachers’ Status and Working Conditions in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan
    14 June 2024

    From March to May of 2023, Education International and one of its member organisations in Afghanistan, the National Teacher Elected Council (NTEC), conducted a survey among the country’s teachers. The findings paint a bleak picture, revealing the impact of Taliban policy on Afghanistan’s teachers, students, and education system.

    Impact on Afghan Teachers of the Restrictions on the Right to Learn and to Teach
    1. Download
  5. News 11 June 2024

    Education International calls on the ILO to ensure UN recommendations on the teaching profession are implemented

    At the 112th session of the International Labour Conference, Education International Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst called for better salaries and working conditions to address the global teacher shortage. She further called for the implementation of the landmark recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, as...

    Education International calls on the ILO to ensure UN recommendations on the teaching profession are implemented
  6. News 5 June 2024

    Education International delegation to defend teachers’ rights at the International Labour Conference

    From 3-14 June, an Education International (EI) delegation is attending the 112th session of the International Labour Conference. Sixty-nine teachers and education professionals from 35 countries are present at the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    Education International delegation to defend teachers’ rights at the International Labour Conference
  7. News 31 May 2024

    Guatemala: Education union leaders under attack for defending quality public education

    Education International Latin America (EILA) has written to the government of Guatemala to protest the persecution of the leadership of its member organisation in the country, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación de Guatemala (STEG).

    Guatemala: Education union leaders under attack for defending quality public education
  8. News 26 April 2024

    Haiti: Education keeps hope alive amidst the chaos

    Whilst the country goes through a deep, multifaceted crisis, teachers continue their fight to ensure education once again becomes a priority; a prerequisite for reestablishing lasting peace and prosperity in Haiti.

    Haiti: Education keeps hope alive amidst the chaos
  9. News 15 April 2024

    Benin: Union elections give hope of real social dialogue in the education sector

    Education International welcomed the elections held in the education sector in Benin from March 29th to April 1st. Organised by the Minister of Pre-School and Primary Education, the vote marked a crucial step towards social dialogue and teacher union representation.

    Benin: Union elections give hope of real social dialogue in the education sector
  10. News 28 March 2024

    Palestine: Unionists call for an end to the war amid catastrophic conditions

    “After 173 days of the war on Gaza, more than 32,414 people have been killed, more than 74,787 wounded, and more than 10,000 are missing...More than 5,826 students and 264 teachers have been killed, and 9,570 students and 960 teachers are trying to recover from their injuries." This is the...

    Palestine: Unionists call for an end to the war amid catastrophic conditions
  11. News 21 March 2024

    Myanmar: Teachers and unionists take great risks to resist military rule and keep hope alive for democracy

    Unionists, public sector workers and, teachers, continue to actively resist military rule and work for democracy, despite facing incredible hardship and repression by the military junta in Myanmar. To highlight the resilience of union opposition to Myanmar's military leadership, several Global Union Federations, including Education International, released a report on...

    Myanmar: Teachers and unionists take great risks to resist military rule and keep hope alive for democracy
  12. News 13 February 2024

    Gaza’s journalists face hunger as well as bombing

    Article by Tim Dawson

    As the war in Gaza continues, Global Union Federations are shining a light on the crisis workers face across all economic sectors. Through a series of essays and articles on our websites, we aim to expose the conflict's devastating impact on livelihoods, safety and well-being for working people while emphasizing...

    Gaza’s journalists face hunger as well as bombing
  13. News 6 February 2024

    France: sustained union action against the collapse of public education

    Deep-rooted anger and a firm commitment to public education: this is what French teachers are demonstrating through their week of action and the launch of a joint union petition calling for the ‘knowledge shock’ measures - a series of government measures that are supposed to raise the level of students...

    France: sustained union action against the collapse of public education
  14. News 21 December 2023

    International solidarity in the face of regressive actions by the government of Argentina

    The Education International Regional Committee for Latin America (IEAL) has expressed concern regarding the recent decision taken by the Government of the Republic of Argentina, under resolution 943/2023 of the Security Ministry. This measure restricts the right to social protest, freedom of speech, and restricts people’s ability to exercise their...

    International solidarity in the face of regressive actions by the government of Argentina
  15. Worlds of Education 18 December 2023

    Education Voices: The current situation in Argentina and a renewed commitment to Go Public! Fund Education

    Roberto Baradel is a teacher and deputy general secretary of the Confederation of Education Workers of Argentina (CTERA). He is also a member of the Confederation of Argentinian Educators (CEA). A tireless advocate for public education and union rights, Baradel is a prominent figure in the fight for education justice...

    Education Voices: The current situation in Argentina and a renewed commitment to Go Public! Fund Education
  16. Worlds of Education 10 December 2023

    Human Rights begin in small places – close to home

    Jim Baker

    International Human Rights Day celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 – 75 years ago. The Declaration reflects the highest aspirations of humanity. The fact that rights are too often ignored does not invalidate the Declaration. It remains the standard for our evolution and progress...

    Human Rights begin in small places – close to home
  17. Statements 8 December 2023

    Our global solidarity is imperative to defend human rights

    Education International's statement on International Human Rights Day

    On International Human Rights Day, Education International reaffirms our collective commitment to defending human rights around the world.  We must remain firm and united around the principles of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and dignity for all. It is our shared responsibility to stand resolutely against all human rights violations and ...

    Our global solidarity is imperative to defend human rights