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 2 September 2016

    Colombian academic freed from prison

    After more than a year in prison, Miguel Ángel Beltrán, a Colombian academic, has been acquitted from his 8 year sentence by the Colombian Supreme Court, making him a free man.

    Colombian academic freed from prison
  2. News 25 August 2016

    Colombia: unions support peace process

    As Colombia takes the final steps towards a lasting peace deal between the Government and the FARC rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), trade unions are supporting a nation-wide campaign in favour of its adoption.

    Colombia: unions support peace process
  3. News 10 August 2016

    Ecuador: Time is pressing to halt the imposed dissolution of the teacher union UNE

    With Ecuador’s government due to release its decision on the Unión Nacional de Educadores’ legal dissolution at any moment, Education International reiterates its call to affiliates to take immediate action and support their Ecuadorian colleagues.

    Ecuador: Time is pressing to halt the imposed dissolution of the teacher union UNE
  4. News 2 August 2016

    Van Leeuwen and Pavanelli meet with the ILO to address the situation in Turkey

    The General Secretaries of Education International and Public Services International have expressed their deep concern about Turkey’s ongoing and large scale violations of core labour standards to the International Labour Organization.

    Van Leeuwen and Pavanelli meet with the ILO to address the situation in Turkey
  5. News 1 August 2016

    USA: Teachers reach out after Orlando massacre

    Teacher unions and trade unions in the United States are working togetherto provide support and resources to the Orlando community after the mass shooting at a night club in June.

    USA: Teachers reach out after Orlando massacre
  6. News 27 July 2016

    Ecuador: Union resists government threat of dissolution

    Ecuador’s National Education Union, UNE, is facing the threat of being shut down as the Ministry of Education initiates proceedings for the union’s legal dissolution, a move that violates the country’s international commitments.

    Ecuador: Union resists government threat of dissolution
  7. News 19 July 2016

    Turkey’s democratic principles crumble as government purges education sector

    In response to the latest developments in Turkey, Education International cannot stand idle to what it sees as the degradation of democratic values and strongly condemns the government’s actions which now target the country’s educators.

    Turkey’s democratic principles crumble as government purges education sector
  8. News 14 July 2016

    Canada’s education leaders look to put wellness back into classrooms

    School is meant to be a safe place, but for too many children and their teachers the classroom has become a source of mental illness, which is why Canada’s teacher unions are taking action.

    Canada’s education leaders look to put wellness back into classrooms
  9. News 7 July 2016

    Djibouti: EI welcomes formerly imprisoned teacher unionist

    Education International’s support for Djiboutian colleagues fighting for quality education and respect for trade union and human rights was underscored recently when Djiboutian education activist Omar Ali Ewado visited the global federation’s headquarters.

    Djibouti: EI welcomes formerly imprisoned teacher unionist
  10. News 5 July 2016

    Iraq: Teacher union outrage at bombing

    The Iraqi Teachers’ Union has firmly condemned the latest terrorist attack perpetrated by Daesh in Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad, leaving, according to latest official reports, 200 people dead and 225 others severely injured.

    Iraq: Teacher union outrage at bombing
  11. News 27 June 2016

    Send negotiators, not police forces to deal with Algerian contract teachers

    The struggle to improve the status of teachers in Algeria was raised when Education International met with representatives of one of its Algerian affiliates at the recent International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Send negotiators, not police forces to deal with Algerian contract teachers
  12. News 17 June 2016

    Tajikistan: teachers trained on trade unionism and Sustainable Development Goals

    Teachers in the country’s south-eastern region had the opportunity to boost their leadership skills while learning how to shape the future during recent workshops organised by the Asia-Pacific regional office of Education International.

    Tajikistan: teachers trained on trade unionism and Sustainable Development Goals
  13. News 14 June 2016

    Global condemnation of travel ban for Bahraini education union leader

    Education International has joined other international organisations in firmly condemning the travel ban imposed on Bahraini teacher unionist Jalila al-Salman as she attempted to attend the Svensson Award ceremony in Oslo, Norway.

    Global condemnation of travel ban for Bahraini education union leader
  14. News 14 June 2016

    Global appeal launched to free Canadian academic from Iranian prison

    Efforts are underway to pressure the Iranian authorities to release Canadian academic Homa Hoodfar, who is being held in Tehran’s Evin prison after being arrested on baseless charges while in the country.

    Global appeal launched to free Canadian academic from Iranian prison
  15. News 8 June 2016

    It takes a whole school, if not a whole society, to teach about human rights

    Preparing today’s learners for their multicultural reality goes well beyond teaching human rights as a stand-alone lesson in the classroom, instead requiring the creation of an environment where everyone understands, values and protects human rights.

    It takes a whole school, if not a whole society, to teach about human rights
  16. News 7 June 2016

    Universal values at heart of human rights education

    The foundation for an education based on a human rights-centric approach, encompassing universal values of understanding and tolerance, and of seeing cultural differences as opportunity rather than threat was the message today in Riga, Latvia.

    Universal values at heart of human rights education