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 15 July 2014

    New report shows educators are targets in armed conflict

    Attacks on teachers and other educators are a disturbingly common tactic of war and a serious threat to education, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) says in a new study released on 14 July. The report, Protecting Education Personnel from Targeted Attack in Conflict-Affected Countries, describes how...

    New report shows educators are targets in armed conflict
  2. News 14 July 2014

    Legal dispute in Georgia over ESFTUG election results ended after four years

    On 11 July 2014, a judicial decision by the Appeals Court in Tbilisi has finally resolved the legal battle over the legitimacy of the election of Maia Kobakhidze, President of the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia (ESFTUG).

    Legal dispute in Georgia over ESFTUG election results ended after four years
  3. News 14 July 2014

    Uncertain Future for Maternity Leave Directive

    On 15 July 2014, the European Parliament debated the European Commission’s suggestion to withdraw the proposed maternity leave directive and to not take it up again in the next legislature. Many MEPs urged the Commission and the Council of Ministers to resume talks with Parliament.

    Uncertain Future for Maternity Leave Directive
  4. News 14 July 2014

    ETUCE Official EU-OSHA Campaign Partner

    ETUCE has joined forces with the biggest occupational safety and health campaign worldwide, the Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress Campaign coordinated by EU OSHA in more than 30 countries. As official campaign partner, ETUCE will distribute and publicise information about the campaign and participate in benchmarking events.

    ETUCE Official EU-OSHA Campaign Partner
  5. News 7 July 2014

    Lithuania: ETUCE strikes deal with Prime Minister

    Raising their voices to be heard loud and clear, thousands of teachers demonstrated in front of government offices to put an end to five years of salary freezes in the education sector.

    Lithuania: ETUCE strikes deal with Prime Minister
  6. News 1 July 2014

    Health and Safety Framework 2014-2020

    The new Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work, presented by the European Commission in June, identifies seven strategic objectives for the years 2014-2020. It proposes key actions and instruments for promoting workers’ health and safety in Europe.

    Health and Safety Framework 2014-2020
  7. News 1 July 2014

    Search for missing Israeli students ends in tragedy

    It is with shock and sadness that Education International learnt of the deaths of three Israeli students abducted on 12 June as they travelled home from school.

    Search for missing Israeli students ends in tragedy
  8. News 26 June 2014

    Employers attack workers’ right to strike

    Negotiations at the International Labour Conference in Geneva have ended in an abrupt deadlock after the Employers’ Group targeted the right to strike, arguing that it is not guaranteed by any International Labour Organisation convention.

    Employers attack workers’ right to strike
  9. News 19 June 2014

    Korea: Education union loses lawsuit to reverse delegalisation

    A Korean court has again turned its back on the International Labour Organization's recommendations in its decision to remove the legal status of one of the country’s teachers’ unions.

    Korea: Education union loses lawsuit to reverse delegalisation
  10. News 11 June 2014

    Djibouti: Government repression of teachers continues to worsen

    Teachers’ union reaches out to Education International for support amid ongoing government measures to remove educators from the classroom and the civil service list, including the union’s general secretary and other high-level members.

    Djibouti: Government repression of teachers continues to worsen
  11. News 5 June 2014

    EI defends educators’ rights at International Labour Conference

    In an address to the 103rd International Labour Conference General Assembly in Geneva on 4 June, EI Deputy General Secretary, Haldis Holst, asked the delegates to support the Unite for Quality Education campaign and underlined the importance of the joint work between EI and the different sections of the International...

    EI defends educators’ rights at International Labour Conference
  12. News 4 June 2014

    Ghana: Education unionists’ solidarity with abducted Nigerian school girls

    The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), one of EI’s national affiliates, has organised a meeting to demand the release of the kidnapped Nigerian girls and to support the girls’ right to education.

    Ghana: Education unionists’ solidarity with abducted Nigerian school girls
  13. News 3 June 2014

    International Labour Conference: A lot at stake for trade unionism

    Collective bargaining and the right to strike have become contested issues at the International Labour Conference over the last few years. At this year’s conference, from 28 May to 12 June, trade unions from all over the world are working together to defend what they see as fundamental workers’ rights.

    International Labour Conference: A lot at stake for trade unionism
  14. News 28 May 2014

    Balkans: EI launches urgent action appeal

    EI and its European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), have launched an urgent action appeal, calling for solidarity and support for Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Balkans: EI launches urgent action appeal
  15. News 27 May 2014

    EI to put education on the agenda at the International Labour Conference

    An EI delegation is all set to participate in the annual conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) from 28 May to 12 Juneto promote decent working conditions for teachers and to advocate for quality education as an enabler to all other rights promoted by the ILO.

    EI to put education on the agenda at the International Labour Conference