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 8 January 2021

    Germany: Trade unions support extension of lockdown

    Education International’s German affiliates have backed the decision of the federal and state governments to extend the COVID-19 lockdown. Schools and day-care centres will remain closed, with some exceptions, until 31 January.

    Germany: Trade unions support extension of lockdown
  2. News 7 January 2021

    Morocco: repeated government attacks on educators’ human and trade union rights

    Education International is alarmed about ongoing violations of trade union freedoms and the rights and acquis of teachers in Morocco as reported by the Syndicat national de l'enseignement–Confédération démocratique du Travail (SNE-CDT).

    Morocco: repeated government attacks on educators’ human and trade union rights
  3. News 7 January 2021

    Iraq: Trade union rolls out additional training on distance teaching and learning

    Members of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) have participated in additional training to equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary for remote education. These skills have proven crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the training financially supported by Education International.

    Iraq: Trade union rolls out additional training on distance teaching and learning
  4. Worlds of Education 5 January 2021

    “Taking Action to Keep School Pupils, Staff and Communities Safe in England”

    Kevin Courtney, Mary Bousted

    England is once again in a national lockdown with Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing on the evening of Monday 4 January that a third lockdown, including the closure of most schools, was necessary to address rising infection rates and the rapid spread of the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus...

    “Taking Action to Keep School Pupils, Staff and Communities Safe in England”
  5. News 5 January 2021

    UK: Education unions say governmental failure is responsible for new national lockdown in England

    On 4 January, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a national lockdown in England. This lockdown imposes new national restrictions which include the closure of schools and colleges except for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils, as well as an immediate move to remote education.

    UK: Education unions say governmental failure is responsible for new national lockdown in England
  6. News 5 January 2021

    The Philippines: Trade union calls for greater resources for distance learning

    As in many countries during the pandemic, the Philippines shifted to distance learning modalities to enable education continuity. However, the remote learning programme met with problems of inadequate funding and issues of Internet connectivity and access to teaching and learning resources. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), one of Education...

    The Philippines: Trade union calls for greater resources for distance learning
  7. News 4 January 2021

    Best wishes for 2021!

    Education International sends its best wishes to everyone from the global education community for this new year. With the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening lives, we will continue our struggle for a safe and healthy return to the classroom for teachers, education support personnel, and students. We will also do our...

    Best wishes for 2021!
  8. News 17 December 2020

    Mexico: COVID-19 must be considered an occupational disease

    The Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) has asked the Mexican Ministry of Public Education to ensure that COVID-19 is considered an occupational disease. This is just one measure to facilitate the safe return to presential teaching and learning.

    Mexico: COVID-19 must be considered an occupational disease
  9. News 17 December 2020

    Nigeria: Education International calls for immediate release of students kidnapped by jihadist group

    On 13 December, at least 600 teenagers were kidnapped by Boko Haram at the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, northwest Nigeria. Education International, the global union federation representing educators, has joined the international community in calling for the safe release of the 300 teenagers still in captivity.

    Nigeria: Education International calls for immediate release of students kidnapped by jihadist group
  10. News 14 December 2020

    Education International and UNESCO call for educators to be considered a priority group in COVID-19 vaccinations

    Today, on the 60th anniversary of the Convention that promotes the universal right to education, Education International and UNESCO published a joint message calling on governments and the international community to consider teachers and education support personnel as a priority group in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The call came as some...

    Education International and UNESCO call for educators to be considered a priority group in COVID-19 vaccinations
  11. News 14 December 2020

    Germany: Early childhood education staffing under enormous stress

    Education unions in Germany have asked public authorities to better recognise the role played by early childhood educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have asked for increased resources for staffing and funding in the KiTa – early childhood education (ECE) schools.

    Germany: Early childhood education staffing under enormous stress
  12. Statements 10 December 2020

    Statement | Situation in Belarus

    Education International and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) stand in solidarity with workers, students, teachers and academics and all citizens of Belarus.

    Statement | Situation in Belarus
  13. News 10 December 2020

    Malaysia: Union solidarity for remote education for marginalised students

    Education International has joined the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) to support Malaysian students from poor and marginalised communities to access online classes crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Malaysia: Union solidarity for remote education for marginalised students
  14. News 9 December 2020

    Education International responds to terrorist attacks in Mozambique with support for member organisation ONP

    On 9 December, Education International’s Executive Board adopted a resolution on terrorism in Mozambique and the need for international support and relief for teachers and other victims. The Education International member organisation, the Organizaçao Nacional dos Professores (ONP), has reported the recent assassination of six teachers.

    Education International responds to terrorist attacks in Mozambique with support for member organisation ONP
  15. News 9 December 2020

    Education International urges government intervention to stop union-busting in Kenya

    Today, 9 December, Education International’s Executive Board has adopted a resolution calling on the Government of Kenya to urge the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the national employer authority in education, to desist from a campaign of discrimination against the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). The Government must urge the...

    Education International urges government intervention to stop union-busting in Kenya