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 21 March 2012

    Mali: Teachers faced with violence in the north of the country

    EI is deeply concerned after the recent coup attempt in Mali. The Syndicat national de l’Education et de la Culture (SNEC), its national affiliate, has told EI of the alarming level of violence currently raging through the north of the country, causing the closure of a large number of schools...

    Mali: Teachers faced with violence in the north of the country
  2. News 14 March 2012

    EI expresses its sympathy after a bus crash killed Belgian students

    EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, has sent a condolence letter to EI Belgian affiliates, sending EI’s deepest condolences to school communities directly affected, and particularly to families who have lost a child, sibling or partner, after a devastating bus crash. On 13 March, a bus carrying 52 people crashed...

    EI expresses its sympathy after a bus crash killed Belgian students
  3. 13 March 2012

    Djibouti: Interview with a champion of the independence of teaching unions

    Farah Abdillah Miguil, General Secretary of EI Djibouti affiliate SYNESED (Union of Secondary Teachers), was his union’s delegate to EI’s 6th World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa in July 2011. In this interview, he shares his thoughts as a union leader and champion of human and trade union rights...

    Djibouti: Interview with a champion of the independence of teaching unions
  4. News 8 March 2012

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal to stop Iranian teacher’s execution

    Education International (EI) urgently calls on teachers and human rights activists worldwide to request the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to stay the execution of Prof. Abdolreza Ghanbari, a university lecturer, sentenced to death for “enmity towards God”.

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal to stop Iranian teacher’s execution
  5. News 5 March 2012

    Egypt: Independent trade union leader sentenced to 6 months’ in jail

    Kamal Abbas, a leading figure in the fight to create independent democratic trade unions in Egypt, has been sentenced to six months in prison for the "crime" of insulting a Mubarak-era union officer at the 2011 International Labour Organisation conference.

    Egypt: Independent trade union leader sentenced to 6 months’ in jail
  6. News 5 March 2012

    USA: Stand with Wisconsin

    On 9 March, 2011, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker pushed through a bill stripping unions of their rights. One year onwards, after massive citizen protests, enough signatures have been gathered to force an election to recall Walker.

    USA: Stand with Wisconsin
  7. News 29 February 2012

    European trade union federations back Spanish workers’ demands

    European trade unions are backing Spanish trade union confederations in their campaign against the reform of the labour code in Spain. EI European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) has issued, together with the European Federation of Public Service Unions and the European Transport Federation, a Solidarity...

    European trade union federations back Spanish workers’ demands
  8. News 27 February 2012

    Canada: Standing together against violence in schools

    The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) has published a guide designed to help education staff to prevent and intervene against violence in their workplace.

    Canada: Standing together against violence in schools
  9. News 23 February 2012

    Bahrain: Mahdi Abu Dheeb denied release on bail yet again

    The Bahraini Supreme Court of Appeal has once more turned down Bahrain Teacher Association’s president Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s request for temporary release because of health reasons.

    Bahrain: Mahdi Abu Dheeb denied release on bail yet again
  10. News 17 February 2012

    Turkey: Sign urgent appeal to condemn the arrests of female union officers in connection with 8th of March celebrations

    EI and ETUCE strongly condemn the police raid against union members of the Confederation of Public Employees’ Unions (KESK) on 13 February in Ankara. Fifteen women union leaders were dragged from their bed and taken into custody. The union offices and personal computers were also searched.

    Turkey: Sign urgent appeal to condemn the arrests of female union officers in connection with 8th of March celebrations
  11. News 16 February 2012

    Cameroon: Strike action to protest at broken government promises

    One of EI’s national affiliates, the Fédération Camerounaise des Syndicats de l'Education(FECASE), has joined other education unions supported by the Public Sector Union Confederation (CSP) calling for a strike in the basic and secondary education sectors on 14-17 February. Trade Unionists condemn the government’s attitude, saying it is not adhering...

    Cameroon: Strike action to protest at broken government promises
  12. News 15 February 2012

    Bahrain: Teacher leader on hunger strike

    Mahdi Abu Dheeb, the imprisoned president of Bahrain's Teachers’ Association, has begun a hunger strike to protest about his unfair detention and continued ill-treatment in prison.

    Bahrain: Teacher leader on hunger strike
  13. News 14 February 2012

    Chilean student leader named Person of the year 2011 by UK newspaper

    A 23-year-old Chilean student leader has been named as ‘Person of the Year 2011’ by a British newspaper. Camila Vallejo received the accolade from The Guardian, ahead of leading personalities, including German chancellor Angela Merkel. Vallejo, ex-President of the University of Chile’s Student Federation (FECH), secured 78 per cent of...

    Chilean student leader named Person of the year 2011 by UK newspaper
  14. News 9 February 2012

    Greece: Austerity measures put trade union rights at considerable risk

    EI and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) have condemned the latest developments in the negotiation between the national government and the Troika (European Commission, European Central Bank [ECB], and International Monetary Fund [IMF]) that would smash minimum wages, collective agreements and rights in Greece.

    Greece: Austerity measures put trade union rights at considerable risk
  15. News 2 February 2012

    Bahrain: Help free trade union leader Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb!

    EI has launched a campaign to urge the Bahraini authorities to immediately release on bail Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, President of the Bahraini Teachers Association (BTA), given his deteriorating health condition. This campaign is organised in partnership with LabourStart, an online news service aiming to serve the international trade...

    Bahrain: Help free trade union leader Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb!
  16. News 12 January 2012

    Kenya: teachers under threat over exam results

    The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), one of EI’s national affiliates, has condemned the surge of violence against teachers following the release of the results for the national Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations (KCPE).

    Kenya: teachers under threat over exam results