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 April 2021

    USA: Education unions join forces to build back better education system

    With a new administration vowing to “build back better” from the public health, education, and economic crises of the Trump era, the two largest US educators’ unions, both Education International affiliates, have a shared agenda to ensure students and school communities receive the support they need for recovery and renewal.

    USA: Education unions join forces to build back better education system
  2. News 6 April 2021

    Europe: Study on industrial relations and privatisation

    A study for the ETUCE, EI’s European region, showed the impact of market ideology and management practices and privatisation on industrial relations and social dialogue. In addition to looking at the evolution of EU policy in the past decade, researchers studied different methods and results of industrial relations in Francophone...

    Europe: Study on industrial relations and privatisation
  3. Worlds of Education 30 March 2021

    "Today, solidarity with women is a fight for democracy”, by Sławomir Broniarz.

    Slawomir Broniarz

    Currently, women and LGBTI people in Poland face a very difficult situation. However, it would be wrong and short-sighted to see attacks on women or LGBTI people as the problem of a single country or of one radically conservative government that seeks to establish an authoritarian regime. Poland is not...

    "Today, solidarity with women is a fight for democracy”, by Sławomir Broniarz.
  4. News 26 March 2021

    COVID-19 impact continues to affect terms and conditions in education

    Deepening inequalities across the education sector were revealed at a recent Education International webinar. Affiliates shared experiences of working to improve the terms and working conditions of teachers, academics, and education support personnel. The webinar aimed to inform Education International’s work in this area during the current public health crisis.

    COVID-19 impact continues to affect terms and conditions in education
  5. News 26 March 2021

    Mauritania: Educators’ strike for pay increase and better living conditions

    On 22 March, teachers engaged in a three-day general strike to demand a pay increase and better living conditions. This strike was punctuated with massive protests near the Education Ministry headquarters in the capital city, Nouakchott, and in the various provinces.

    Mauritania: Educators’ strike for pay increase and better living conditions
  6. Worlds of Education 25 March 2021

    “Covid Story Will End with Equity and Leadership”, by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    My friend and colleague and one of the education giants of our time, Mary Hatwood Futrell, wrote this on the passing of Nelson Mandela in 2013: “We pause to mark the distance we’ve come and keep focus on what’s yet to cover. One thing seems certain as the need for...

    “Covid Story Will End with Equity and Leadership”, by David Edwards.
  7. News 24 March 2021

    Morocco: Strikes and demonstrations demand better conditions for contract teachers

    Despite harassment and violence by police forces, Moroccan teachers' unions continue to demonstrate in the capital city, Rabat, to demand permanent contracts and better working conditions. They are also protesting against the rising cost of living.

    Morocco: Strikes and demonstrations demand better conditions for contract teachers
  8. News 23 March 2021

    DRC: online union training full of promise

    The Fédération nationale des enseignants du Congo/Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Congo (FENECO/UNTC) has closed the end of its online Trade Union Academy on the fundamentals of trade unionism.

    DRC: online union training full of promise
  9. News 16 March 2021

    German and Austrian unions call for more education support personnel specialised in health issues

    While the COVID-19 crisis is still raging, the Gewerkschaft Öffentlicher Dienst (GÖD) of Austria and the German Verband Bildung und Erziehung (VBE) have pointed out that an increasing number of children with chronic illnesses are attending schools. The unions have urged their respective public authorities to hire more health professionals...

    German and Austrian unions call for more education support personnel specialised in health issues
  10. News 12 March 2021

    Vaccine nationalism and crisis profiteering: Unions take action

    “Just 10 countries, some of the richest in the world, have administered 75% of vaccinations. Meanwhile, around 130 countries that account for 2.5 billion people have not administered a single dose. This is not an issue on which we can afford to be passive. The only solution to a global...

    Vaccine nationalism and crisis profiteering: Unions take action
  11. News 5 March 2021

    Nigeria: students and schools must be protected from attacks

    Attacks from armed groups against schools and students have been increasing in the last months in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom is a widespread criminal enterprise. Nigerian authorities must act swiftly to protect the right to education of children, especially girls.

    Nigeria: students and schools must be protected from attacks
  12. News 5 March 2021

    Africa: Governments must act urgently to protect educators and build stronger education systems

    During its virtual meeting from 23-25 February, the Education International Africa Regional Committee (EIARC) urged regional governments to act swiftly to ensure decent living and working conditions for educators. Proactive measures were needed to guarantee quality education on the continent in the face of challenges including the pandemic, terrorism, and...

    Africa: Governments must act urgently to protect educators and build stronger education systems
  13. Statements 4 March 2021

    Statement | Education International calls on governments to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and other medical products by waiving intellectual property rights

    Education International, the global federation of education unions, urges Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to support the “Waiver from certain provisions of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19".

    Statement | Education International calls on governments to ensure equal access to COVID-19 vaccines and other medical products by waiving intellectual property rights