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 17 July 2017

    Saudi Arabia: Call to halt execution of peaceful protestors

    Education International strongly urges Saudi Arabian authorities to halt the execution of student Mujtaba’a al-Sweikat and other men facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for protest-related offences.

    Saudi Arabia: Call to halt execution of peaceful protestors
  2. News 12 July 2017

    France: Unions criticise plans for sick leave waiting period in public sector

    EI-affiliated trade union groups in France have strongly criticised the French government's intention to reinstate a waiting day for public service employees in case of sick leave, describing the measure as “ineffective” and “unfair”.

    France: Unions criticise plans for sick leave waiting period in public sector
  3. News 4 July 2017

    Niger: Trade unionist teacher elected to National Commission on Human Rights

    In a significant move, the General Secretary of the Syndicat National des Agents de la Formation et de l'Education du Niger, has been appointed as the workers’ representative on the National Commission on Human Rights in Niger.

    Niger: Trade unionist teacher elected to National Commission on Human Rights
  4. 26 June 2017

    Education and Training Policy in the European Semester - Public Investment, Public Policy, Social Dialogue and Privatisation Patterns across Europe

    The European Union has answered to the economic and financial crisis, adopting the Europe 2020 Strategy plan for sustainable, smart economic growth. Education, employment, fighting poverty and social exclusion are at the hearth of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the EU-policy making, coordinated through the European Semester coordination. Since the...

    Education and Training Policy in the European Semester - Public Investment, Public Policy, Social Dialogue and Privatisation Patterns across Europe
  5. News 26 June 2017

    Human rights and citizenship education crucial to harmony in democratic societies

    Education International’s Deputy General Secretary, Haldis Holst, has strongly reaffirmed the importance of human rights and citizenship education to meet global challenges and achieve mutual respect in democratic societies.

    Human rights and citizenship education crucial to harmony in democratic societies
  6. News 22 June 2017

    Botswana: 66th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Botswana to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Botswana: 66th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  7. News 16 June 2017

    Botswana education unions uphold the right to effective collective bargaining

    In response to the government’s clampdown on workers’ rights, the Botswana Sectors of Education Trade Unions and Education International took their fight to the global stage at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Botswana education unions uphold the right to effective collective bargaining
  8. News 16 June 2017

    Canada: teachers celebrate repeal of anti-labour legislation

    For the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, the repeal of the bill, which limited the rights of labour unions, is a major win after an extensive national campaign was launched to end the conservative policy.

    Canada: teachers celebrate repeal of anti-labour legislation
  9. News 14 June 2017

    Turkey: Urgent action needed

    International pressure on the Turkish government is rising since the arrest of the Chair of Amnesty International Turkey, Taner Kılıç. He has been detained on bogus charges of terrorism since 6 June.

    Turkey: Urgent action needed
  10. News 13 June 2017

    USA: teachers work to stop deportation of undocumented students

    The American Federation of Teachers has issued its Immigrant Youth Guide in Spanish, a tool that helps teachers support and prepare undocumented students in the event of government immigration raids.

    USA: teachers work to stop deportation of undocumented students
  11. News 12 June 2017

    Education unions work to ensure a child’s place is in school, not at work

    This year’s World Day Against Child Labour has focused efforts on the fallout of conflicts and disasters, and how they are catalysts for pushing millions of children into labour or into the hands of traffickers.

    Education unions work to ensure a child’s place is in school, not at work
  12. News 9 June 2017

    Ecuador: Educators receive widespread support at ILO

    With freedom of association in Ecuador severely hampered, education union UNE is taking its demands to a higher level at the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

    Ecuador: Educators receive widespread support at ILO
  13. News 8 June 2017

    EI defends education workers' rights at International Labour Conference

    The labour rights of teachers and quality terms of employment for better education systems have been at the core of EI deputy general secretary Haldis Holst's address to the International Labour Conference.

    EI defends education workers' rights at International Labour Conference
  14. News 7 June 2017

    ILO: Educators highlight labour concerns in sector

    Teachers and education professionals attending the 106th session of the International Labour Conference are going to defend their labour rights in the presence of Governments and employers’ organisations.

    ILO: Educators highlight labour concerns in sector
  15. Worlds of Education 1 June 2017

    Teacher union renewal: developing the power of the profession

    Howard Stevenson

    The challenges that face teachers often look very similar around the world. Global league tables are often behind the relentless pressure to drive test scores up, whilst the forces of global economic competition explain a race to the bottom on teachers’ working conditions. Teachers experience ever rising workloads, but perhaps...

    Teacher union renewal: developing the power of the profession
  16. Worlds of Education 31 May 2017

    Re-thinking Disability

    Tania Principe

    Over the last 50 years, attitudes toward disability have changed. Whether viewing disability as a medical condition, through the prism of human rights or forms of exclusion, the understanding of disability has dramatically evolved. One could argue that we now know more than ever about disability.

    Re-thinking Disability
  17. News 29 May 2017

    Romania: 65th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Romania to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Romania: 65th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration