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. Publications

    Trade union rights toolkit

    8 December 2022

    To support education unions everywhere in their struggle to defend their members’ rights, Education International has developed the Trade Union Rights Toolkit. The toolkit aims to equip education unions to formulate cases when their rights are violated and defend their cases based on the fundamental rights of the global community.

    Trade union rights toolkit See resources 1
  2. News 14 April 2026

    A message of gratitude and determination from Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris to Education International and its members

    On 8 April, education unionists everywhere were relieved and thrilled to learn of the release and return to France of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris . Cécile and Jacques are two French teachers and trade unionists who were arbitrary detained in inhumane conditions in Iranian prisons for nearly four years....

    A message of gratitude and determination from Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris to Education International and its members
  3. Statements 13 April 2026

    Global Unions call for a permanent and sustainable ceasefire in the Middle East

    The undersigned Global Unions call for a permanent and sustainable ceasefire across the Middle East and an immediate end to the relentless cycle of war and militarism that continues to exact a devastating toll on civilians, workers, and entire communities.

    Global Unions call for a permanent and sustainable ceasefire in the Middle East
  4. News 10 April 2026

    Education International welcomes the liberation of detained teacher unionists Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris

    Education International (EI) welcomes the liberation and safe return to France of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two teachers and long-standing trade union activists, who were arrested while on a private trip to Iran and arbitrarily detained for nearly four years. Cécile and Jacques arrived back in Paris on 8...

    Education International welcomes the liberation of detained teacher unionists Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris
  5. News 26 March 2026

    France: a week of joint union action to defend public education

    Confronted with a 2026 budget “set to asphyxiate the public education system”, French unions are pressing for more resources, jobs, and pay increases. Building on the many local initiatives led by employees determined to defend their working conditions and the right to education, they are calling for a week of...

    France: a week of joint union action to defend public education
  6. Statements 3 March 2026

    Global Union Federations Call for an immediate Cease Fire and an end to the Military Escalation in Iran and the Middle East

    The undersigned Global Union Federations (GUFs) condemn the recent military attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, including air strikes that have resulted in civilian deaths, injuries, and the destruction of critical public infrastructure — among them schools and medical facilities.

    Global Union Federations Call for an immediate Cease Fire and an end to the Military Escalation in Iran and the Middle East
  7. Worlds of Education 3 March 2026

    The Education International Congress in Argentina: A legacy of strength and hope

    Romina Di Masi

    In 2024, my country, Argentina, was at the epicentre of global education: for one week, the World Congress of Education International (EI) brought together teachers, activists, and trade unionists from all around the globe. The energy was palpable. As a member of the ADIA union, which is part of the...

    The Education International Congress in Argentina: A legacy of strength and hope
  8. Statements 1 March 2026

    Education International condemns military strikes on Iran and attacks on schools

    Education International (EI) unequivocally condemns the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran, including the bombings that struck two schools — the Shajare Tayyiba elementary school for girls in the southern Iranian town of Minab and another school in Tehran — on 28 February. The attack on the...

    Education International condemns military strikes on Iran and attacks on schools
  9. Take action! 4 February 2026

    Urgent Action Appeal - Protect Teachers, Students, Unionists, and Education in Northeast Syria

    Education International (EI) urgently calls on all member organisations to take action in response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Northeast Syria and the severe threats facing teachers, students, unionists, and the entire education system established in Rojava, Syria.

    Urgent Action Appeal - Protect Teachers, Students, Unionists, and Education in Northeast Syria
  10. News 29 January 2026

    Taiwan: Teachers fight back a punitive oversight system

    Across Taiwan, thousands of educators, many waving "Save education!" signs demonstrated on January 25th, 2026, against what they describe as an abusive school incident management system that has eroded trust, undermined learning, and pushed teaching conditions to a breaking point. As they repeatedly voiced in the streets: “Education cannot survive...

    Taiwan: Teachers fight back a punitive oversight system
  11. News 26 January 2026

    Gabon: teachers resume strike to secure career regularisation

    The widely-followed teachers’ strike launched in Gabon in December is set to continue in the absence of a response from the new government. The SENA (National Education Union) and SYNETECPRO (National Union for Technical and Vocational Education) are calling for the urgent regularisation of teachers’ careers and warn that the...

    Gabon: teachers resume strike to secure career regularisation
  12. Statements 23 January 2026

    Education International denounces the blocking of high level delegation to Palestine

    Education leaders were invited to mark the International Day of Education

    Education International strongly condemns the decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to prevent a delegation of education leaders from entering Palestine, detaining delegation members for hours, subjecting them to interrogation, confiscating their passports, and forcibly returning them to Jordan.

    Education International denounces the blocking of high level delegation to Palestine
  13. Statements 21 January 2026

    Hong Kong - Statement of the Council of Global Unions on the Trial of Lee Cheuk-yan

    Today, Brother Lee Cheuk-yan, General-Secretary of the defunct Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) is facing yet another trial in court for exercising freedom of association rights as a trade union leader. He is facing a charge of inciting subversion of the state power of China and a sentence...

    Hong Kong - Statement of the Council of Global Unions on the Trial of Lee Cheuk-yan
  14. Statements 14 January 2026

    Yemen: Education International demands the immediate and unconditional release of three teachers who face execution

    Education International (EI) demands the immediate and unconditional release of three Yemeni teachers, Ismail Mohammed Abu al-Ghaith, Saghir Fareh, and Abdulaziz Al-Uqeili, who face imminent execution by the Houthi authorities in Yemen. The three teachers, who are members of the EI-affiliated Yemeni Teachers’ Syndicate, have been arbitrarily sentenced to death...

    Yemen: Education International demands the immediate and unconditional release of three teachers who face execution
  15. Statements 13 January 2026

    Education International urges end to violence and prioritisation of education in Syria’s recovery

    Following recent armed clashes in Aleppo that endangered civilians and denied thousands of children their right to safe education, Education International (EI) calls for an immediate end to violence and urges Syrian authorities and the international community to make education a central pillar of recovery and reconstruction efforts.

    Education International urges end to violence and prioritisation of education in Syria’s recovery
  16. News 12 January 2026

    Korea: Teachers win breakthrough on political rights after hunger strike and relentless campaign

    After more than 60 days of sit-ins and a seven-day hunger strike, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU) has secured a landmark agreement with the National Assembly to establish a consultative body on guaranteeing the basic political rights of teachers and public servants.

    Korea: Teachers win breakthrough on political rights after hunger strike and relentless campaign