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 6 June 2016

    Ecuador: Education unions under fire

    The Ecuadorian government’s harsh attacks on trade union rights and the response by educators were put under the spotlight at the 2016 International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Ecuador: Education unions under fire
  2. News 2 June 2016

    Privatisation of education under scrutiny at ILO Conference

    The threat represented by the lack of public investment in education, the trend toward privatisation and the erosion of the fundamental labour rights of educators was put on the table at the annual ILO Conference in Geneva.

    Privatisation of education under scrutiny at ILO Conference
  3. News 31 May 2016

    International Labour Conference to address teachers’ labour rights

    With the 105th Session of the International Labour Conference about to kick-off in Geneva, Switzerland, education unions from around the world are set to strongly represent the rights and working conditions of teachers.

    International Labour Conference to address teachers’ labour rights
  4. News 31 May 2016

    Belgium: Halt to cuts in public services!

    A general strike and mass demonstrations hit Belgium today. Trade unions protested against austerity measures, including cuts in the education budget, and condemning also a breakdown of social dialogue.

    Belgium: Halt to cuts in public services!
  5. News 31 May 2016

    Safe Schools Declaration: one year on, more support and action needed

    With wars raging in many countries, the first anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration is a reminder that political commitment is needed to protect students, teachers, and schools in times of conflict

    Safe Schools Declaration: one year on, more support and action needed
  6. News 16 May 2016

    Imprisoned Iranian trade unionist set free on bail

    Esmail Abdi, the general secretary of the Tehran branch of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, has been released on bail after spending months behind bars on security charges.

    Imprisoned Iranian trade unionist set free on bail
  7. News 21 April 2016

    “Speak Truth To Power Canada” receives national award

    The online teacher resource on human rights, “Speak Truth To Power Canada”, has received this year’s Award of Outstanding Achievement in New Media by the Canadian Museums Association.

    “Speak Truth To Power Canada” receives national award
  8. News 19 April 2016

    Report reveals Boko Haram’s devastating toll on education in northeast Nigeria

    A new Human Rights Watch report shows that Boko Haram’s targeted attacks on schools, students, and teachers have affected all strata of life in Nigeria’s northeast, with education as the fault line of the conflict.

    Report reveals Boko Haram’s devastating toll on education in northeast Nigeria
  9. News 4 April 2016

    Bahrain: Teacher leader freed after five years in prison

    Earlier today, Mahdi Abu Dheeb, leader of the Bahrain Teachers Association, an EI affiliate in the country, was released from prison. He had been held in detention since 2011, when he was sentenced to a prison sentence for the simple fact of calling for a teachers’ strike in support of...

    Bahrain: Teacher leader freed after five years in prison
  10. News 17 March 2016

    Iranian teacher unionists released after global solidarity campaign

    Abdolreza Ghanbari and Ali Akbar Baghani, members of the Iranian Teacher Trade Associations, for whom Education International had launched a solidarity campaign, have been released. Ghanbari had been awaiting execution for 2 years before his sentence was commuted to 15 years’ imprisonment.

    Iranian teacher unionists released after global solidarity campaign
  11. News 10 March 2016

    Health education crucial for quality education

    Students must be seen as holistic beings, and the impact of the state of their health on their education taken into greater consideration. This was the key message highlighted by Education International at the 60th Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society.

    Health education crucial for quality education
  12. News 9 March 2016

    Tonga joins the ILO

    A hard-fought 10-year trade union battle has borne fruit with Tonga becoming the 187th member state of the International Labour Organisation.

    Tonga joins the ILO
  13. News 8 March 2016

    Honduras: Prominent human rights defender murdered

    The global education trade union movement has firmly condemned the murder of environmentalist and human rights defender Berta Caceres.

    Honduras: Prominent human rights defender murdered
  14. News 25 February 2016

    South African students take HIV/AIDS education programme to the US

    Students from a Cape Town high school are heading to California as part of an ongoing joint initiative of South African and American teachers’ unions to bring HIV/AIDS education into the classroom.

    South African students take HIV/AIDS education programme to the US
  15. News 24 February 2016

    Haiti: political violence claims academic’s life

    The killing of a teacher unionist has exposed the deteriorating political situation in Haiti where the country was left to linger in constitutional limbo following the resignation of President Michel Martelly.

    Haiti: political violence claims academic’s life