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. News 7 June 2006

    Romania: Teachers ask president to mediate conflict

    Romanian EI affiliate Fédération des Syndicats de l’Enseignement SPIRU-HARET have demanded President Traian Basescu to once again intervene in their relations with the government, as the agreement reached with the government after their last protest has not been respected.

    Romania: Teachers ask president to mediate conflict
  2. News 6 June 2006

    Ethiopia: EI mission relaunches social dialogue

    An international trade union mission composed of two representatives from EI and the African director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) managed to open doors in Ethiopia. Meetings could soon be secured with the Ethiopian Ministers of Education and Information, together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and embassy...

    Ethiopia: EI mission relaunches social dialogue
  3. News 31 May 2006

    Macedonia: Positive Outcome for Teachers and SONK

    After EI's letter to the Macedonian government dated 16 May to condemn its breach of a wage agreement with the teachers, the latter finally approved an agreement on 26 May to respect the wage deal signed with the teachers' union SONK, an EI affiliate.

    Macedonia: Positive Outcome for Teachers and SONK
  4. News 31 May 2006

    Ethiopia: Teacher detained - EI writes to Minister of Education

    Education International has written to Dr Sintayehu Michael, the Ethiopian Minister of Education, drawing his attention to the case of Mulunesh Abebayehu Teklewold, a female teacher who has been held without trial since November 2005.

    Ethiopia: Teacher detained - EI writes to Minister of Education
  5. News 31 May 2006

    Australia: Education International supports affiliate the NTEU

    Education International has written to the ILO in support of Australian affiliate the NTEU. The action was prompted by the Australian Government’s Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs), legislation which constitutes a breach of ILO Conventions ratified by Australia.

    Australia: Education International supports affiliate the NTEU
  6. News 30 May 2006

    EI at the 95th International Labour Conference

    This year, Education International will once again be present at the 95th International Labour Conference (ILC) which will open on 31 May in Geneva. The Conference is the annual tripartite meeting of the International Labour Organisation's 178 member states.

    EI at the 95th International Labour Conference
  7. News 29 May 2006

    UK: Lecturers prepared for prolonged pay battle with universities

    Leaders of Britain's largest lecturers' union, EI affiliate the NATFHE, have voted unanimously to escalate their national pay dispute with universities, with a call to hold out for their demands "to Christmas and beyond".

    UK: Lecturers prepared for prolonged pay battle with universities
  8. News 16 May 2006

    Ethiopia: International mission from 18-23 May

    From May 18-23, an international mission composed of officials from Education International (EI), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) will be in Ethiopia to meet with Ethiopian government officials, embassy officials, and detained ETA officials.

    Ethiopia: International mission from 18-23 May
  9. News 16 May 2006

    Macedonia: EI condemns breach of agreement

    EI sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia to condemn the government's breach of a wage agreement with teachers.

    Macedonia: EI condemns breach of agreement
  10. News 12 May 2006

    Côte d’Ivoire: EI protests to the President

    Further to the news item dated 10 May, EI issues a letter to the President of Côte d’Ivoire, demading him to open an impartial inquiry into the pillage of SYNESCI headoffice and guarantee the social dialogue with teacher union representatives and the legal undertaking of trade union activities.

    Côte d’Ivoire: EI protests to the President
  11. News 10 May 2006

    Ethiopia: EI relaunches Urgent Action Appeal

    EI has relaunched its Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia, to bring to the attention of member and partner organisations worldwide the urgent situation its affiliate, the "Ethiopian Teacher Association" (ETA) is now in. The Ethiopian government has repeatedly harassed and threatened the ETA, by dispossessing it of its properties, imprisonning...

    Ethiopia: EI relaunches Urgent Action Appeal
  12. News 10 May 2006

    Côte d'Ivoire: SYNESCI headoffice occupied and devastated

    EI contacted the President of Côte d'Ivoire to deplore the occupation and devastation of the headoffice of affiliate, the "Syndicat national des enseignants du second degré de Côte d’Ivoire" (SYNESCI) since 4 May. An EI mission conducted at the end of April was not able to confirm the physical security...

    Côte d'Ivoire: SYNESCI headoffice occupied and devastated
  13. News 9 May 2006

    Macedonia: The Government is cheating teachers

    EI has been informed that the Government of Macedonia is not intending to honour the wage deal it reached with the teachers' union SONK in February 2006 to be implemented tomorrow, May 10.

    Macedonia: The Government is cheating teachers
  14. News 3 May 2006

    Cambodia: EI protests against May Day ban!

    EI voiced its strong protest to the Prime Minister of Cambodia in a letter dated 2 May against a ban on May Day celebrations by its affiliate, the Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association (CITA).

    Cambodia: EI protests against May Day ban!
  15. News 21 April 2006

    EI letter to the ILO concerning Nepal

    EI sent a letter to the ILO Labour Standards Deputy Director voicing its concern about the violation of human rights by the Nepalese government. In the letter, EI informed the Deputy Director that 20 teacher and union leaders were detained during a crackdown of a general strike on 6 Apr.

    EI letter to the ILO concerning Nepal
  16. News 21 April 2006

    Nepal: EI supports its affiliates during crackdown

    EI is very concerned about the rising instability in Nepal, where citizens are the victims of repression against Maoist opponents and supporters of democracy. Since 6 Apr, Nepalese citizens have been rallying peacefully everywhere in the country to call for the return to democratic governance, but the excessive use of...

    Nepal: EI supports its affiliates during crackdown