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 1 October 2008

    Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting

    Iranian teachers trying to attend a trade union meeting have been illegally detained in Iran. Teacher trade unions convened the meeting to give members the opportunity to peacefully discuss possible activities to celebrate World Teachers Day. Every year on 5 October, millions of educators worldwide undertake public activities highlighting that...

    Iran: Arrest of teachers attending a union meeting
  2. News 30 September 2008

    Sichuan teacher who posted photos of collapsed schools now released from labour camp

    Human Rights in China has learned that Liu Shaokun, a teacher who was sentenced to one year of Re-education Through Labour after posting online his photographs of collapsed school buildings in earthquake-affected areas, was released by the authorities on 24 September. He will now be permitted to serve his sentence...

    Sichuan teacher who posted photos of collapsed schools now released from labour camp
  3. News 26 September 2008

    Zimbabwean teacher trade unionist released from prison

    The President of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, who was illegally arrested and held incommunicado under appalling conditions, has now been released from prison.

    Zimbabwean teacher trade unionist released from prison
  4. News 24 September 2008

    Finland: EI extends condolences and solidarity

    On behalf of teachers and education workers around the world, Education International expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families and school communities of the victims of yesterday's tragic school shooting in Finland.

    Finland: EI extends condolences and solidarity
  5. News 23 September 2008

    EFAIDS Programme launched in Nepal

    The recent political change in Nepal coincided with the incorporation of the Nepalese teacher unions into the EI EFAIDS Programme. Working in partnership, the Nepal National Teachers’ Association (NNTA) and the Nepal Teachers’ Association (NTA) plan to carry out joint activities and training under the Nepal EI EFAIDS Programme.

    EFAIDS Programme launched in Nepal
  6. News 23 September 2008

    EFAIDS looks ahead to 2009

    The EI EFAIDS Evaluation and Planning Workshop for EI staff and partners was held in early September and provided an opportunity to review the Programme which has expanded steadily since 2006 and is now successfully implemented in almost fifty countries across four regions.

    EFAIDS looks ahead to 2009
  7. News 23 September 2008

    Ugandan unions partnership strengthens EFAIDS Programme

    The recent incorporation of the National Union of Education Institutes (NUEI) to the EFAIDS Programme in Uganda reaches out to non-teaching staff in schools. The Uganda National Teachers Union, working on the Programme since 2006, is confident that the partnership will benefit EFAIDS work.

    Ugandan unions partnership strengthens EFAIDS Programme
  8. News 23 September 2008

    Spend ‘One Hour on AIDS’ on World AIDS Day

    World AIDS Day on 1 December is an opportunity to emphasise education for HIV prevention and combat stigma on AIDS with colleagues and students. Building on the success of last year, the EI EFAIDS Programme has prepared a ‘One Hour on AIDS’ activity kit which teachers around the world can...

    Spend ‘One Hour on AIDS’ on World AIDS Day
  9. News 23 September 2008

    Translating Talk into Action – International XVII AIDS Conference, Mexico

    The XVII International AIDS Conference, with 25,000 participants, brought together representatives from many sectors working on HIV/AIDS issues. For a few days AIDS was the focus of a busy schedule of presentations, debates and interaction. But what happens now? With UNAIDS reporting a shortfall of US$8 billion in AIDS funding...

    Translating Talk into Action – International XVII AIDS Conference, Mexico
  10. News 23 September 2008

    Interview with General Secretaries of Nepalese unions

    Birendra P. Shrestha, General Secretary of Nepal Teachers' Association (NTA) and Baburam Adhikari, General Secretary of Nepal National Teachers' Association (NNTA) attended the inaugural EI EFAIDS workshop in Nepal that took place from 25th until 28th June 2008.

    Interview with General Secretaries of Nepalese unions
  11. News 15 September 2008

    Save Farzad: Your support is still urgently needed!

    According to the latest news on Farsi websites, the situation of Iranian teacher trade unionist Farzad Kamangar remains critical. Farzad is still alive, but facing the death sentence which has not yet been commuted. At present, he is in solitary confinement in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison in section 209, the...

    Save Farzad: Your support is still urgently needed!
  12. 10 September 2008

    Nepal: Historic elections bring new era of hope

    A bloody decade of civil war in which more than 130,000 Nepalese people were killed came to an end earlier this year. National elections took place on April 10 in a peaceful atmosphere, despite serious violence and human rights violations during the campaign.

    Nepal: Historic elections bring new era of hope
  13. 10 September 2008

    Iran: The internet fosters free expression

    Iranians are using the internet to exercise their right to free expression as never before - despite strict prohibitions and severe penalties imposed by the authorities.

    Iran: The internet fosters free expression
  14. 10 September 2008

    China: Teacher punished for photos of schools

    A teacher who published online photos of schools that collapsed due to the Sichuan earthquake has been ordered to serve one year of Reeducation-Through-Labour, according to Human Rights in China.

    China: Teacher punished for photos of schools
  15. News 19 August 2008

    Farzad Kamangar: sentenced to death after a five-minute trial

    On 25 February 2008, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Farzad Kamangar to death on charges of "endangering national security" and "enmity against God" (moharebe). The death penalty was confirmed by the Supreme Court on 11 July.

    Farzad Kamangar: sentenced to death after a five-minute trial
  16. News 14 August 2008

    EI launches urgent action appeal for Iranian teacher Farzad Kamangar

    EI launched an urgent action appeal on 14 August in a bid to save Farzad Kamangar, a 33-year old teacher and former trade unionist from the Kurdistan Province of Iran, who is currently at risk of being executed following the ruling issued at an unfair trial.

    EI launches urgent action appeal for Iranian teacher Farzad Kamangar