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 12 December 2017

    The Netherlands: Strike action to protect quality primary education

    Dutch educators are on strike today (12 December), demanding decent salaries and a normal workload. They are also urging the government to clearly and firmly address burn out and a shortage in teachers in primary education.

    The Netherlands: Strike action to protect quality primary education
  2. News 30 November 2017

    El Salvador: 71st country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by El Salvador to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, committing itself to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of violent conflict.

    El Salvador: 71st country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  3. News 28 November 2017

    Europe: educators unite for refugee children

    Teachers in Germany and Spain are facilitating the integration of refugee children through the classroom, and now have clear demands for policymakers.

    Europe: educators unite for refugee children
  4. News 27 November 2017

    16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 2017

    This year’s campaign turns its focus toward ending gender-based violence in education by continuing the momentum and achievements built up over a year that saw more than 700 organisations in 92 countries voice their support.

    16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 2017
  5. News 24 November 2017

    One story at a time, violence against women is thrust into the spotlight

    The wave of revelations of sexual harassment and abuse of women from all walks of life marks a tipping point in tackling gender-based violence, and that effort begins in classrooms around the world.

    One story at a time, violence against women is thrust into the spotlight
  6. Worlds of Education 23 November 2017

    The child at the centre: the Scottish experience on health and wellbeing in schools

    Goof Buijs

    Scotland is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to promoting the health and well-being of school-aged children. Since Scotland got its own parliament in 1999, the Scottish Government has full responsibility for its education system. Top priority in the national policy is to reduce health...

    The child at the centre: the Scottish experience on health and wellbeing in schools
  7. Worlds of Education 9 November 2017

    The future of education unionism

    John McCollow

    Teacher (or education) unions are organizations formed to protect and advance the collective interests of teachers and other education workers. What those collective interests entail and how they should be pursued have been and remain active matters for debate.

    The future of education unionism
  8. News 8 November 2017

    Yemen’s education crisis deepens as unpaid teachers continue to strike

    With more than 1,700 schools already closed due to damage from armed conflict, the country’s teachers have gone on strike, desperate to be paid after one year, only adding to the country’s education woes.

    Yemen’s education crisis deepens as unpaid teachers continue to strike
  9. News 6 November 2017

    Yemen: 70th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Yemen to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, committing itself to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of violent conflict.

    Yemen: 70th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  10. News 2 November 2017

    Trade unionists united to ensure LGBTI rights at the workplace

    “Education International has been one of the world's leading unions in the fight for the respect of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and intersex workers,” Education International's Executive Board member Daniel Lafrenière reminded at a top trade union event.

    Trade unionists united to ensure LGBTI rights at the workplace
  11. News 30 October 2017

    Francophone education unions assemble to improve the teaching profession

    After meeting in Dakar, the Board of the Comité Syndical Francophone pour l’Education et la Formation committed to promoting quality public education accessible to all, as well as increase vibrant and respected teacher trade unionism.

    Francophone education unions assemble to improve the teaching profession
  12. News 23 October 2017

    Burkina Faso: united education union front for a better teacher status

    For the first time in three years, Burkina Faso's education trade unions have called a strike in order to obtain better living and working conditions for teachers and help achieve quality education.

    Burkina Faso: united education union front for a better teacher status