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 9 April 2008

    EFAIDS Training of Trainers in Dakar, Senegal

    A three day training workshop in Dakar, Senegal from 4th – 6th February 2008 brought together national coordinators of the EFAIDS programmes in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Rwanda.

    EFAIDS Training of Trainers in Dakar, Senegal
  2. News 9 April 2008

    EFAIDS Latin American regional meeting, Tegucigalpa

    The annual EFAIDS Programme meeting for Latin America took place from 11-13 February 2008 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Activities and progress in 2007 were reviewed whilst programme objectives for 2008 were agreed.

    EFAIDS Latin American regional meeting, Tegucigalpa
  3. News 9 April 2008

    Namibia: education spending tops the budget while NANTU continues to raise HIV/AIDS awareness

    A spokesman for EI affiliate, Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU), has welcomed the decision of the Namibian government to prioritise education in its recent budget allocations. Meanwhile, NANTU is continuing to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS through the distribution of a poster and a leaflet to inform their members...

    Namibia: education spending tops the budget while NANTU continues to raise HIV/AIDS awareness
  4. News 20 March 2008

    Argentina: EI welcomes new law on free transport for HIV patients

    EI welcomes the recent law passed by the Buenos Aires authorities which will guarantee free transport for HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, and long-term cancer sufferers in the Argentine capital.

    Argentina: EI welcomes new law on free transport for HIV patients
  5. 13 March 2008

    Iran: Crackdown on activists

    Iran’s relentless intimidation and harassment of teachers shows no sign of abating. Indeed, the worsening situation has caused human rights defenders to speak out about a crackdown by the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

    Iran: Crackdown on activists
  6. 13 March 2008

    India: The need for sex education in schools

    Since the first case was detected in the 1980s, AIDS has become one of the largest killers in the world. Every day, some 7,200 young people are contracting HIV in the world. In India, 15% of HIV/AIDS patients are children under 15 years of age. At a time when HIV...

    India: The need for sex education in schools
  7. News 6 March 2008

    North-American, Australian, South-Korean, UK and Caribbean teachers' chorus of opposition to video game condoning bullying in school

    A coalition of eight teacher organizations representing over 4-million teachers in North America, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia and the Caribbean has joined in an unprecedented effort to condemn bullying and cyberbullying in all its forms. The outcry by teacher organizations is sparked by the pending release of "Bully...

    North-American, Australian, South-Korean, UK and Caribbean teachers' chorus of opposition to video game condoning bullying in school
  8. News 5 March 2008

    Iran: EI joins the Global Action Day on 6 March 2008

    EI joins the International Transport Federation and other Global Union Federations in a Global Action Day in solidarity with Iranian workers and teachers on 6 March 2008.

    Iran: EI joins the Global Action Day on 6 March 2008
  9. News 22 February 2008

    Zimbabwe: EI condemns police beatings of teacher unionists

    Nine members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) were abducted on 19 February for distributing leaflets about the country's education crisis.

    Zimbabwe: EI condemns police beatings of teacher unionists
  10. News 19 February 2008

    Philippines: demonstration against privatization of education ends with police brutality

    A peaceful demonstration organized by teachers and students defending quality public education in the Philippines was violently dispersed by law enforcement officers last January 31. As a result of police brutality, 23 demonstrators were injured. Other 6 demonstrators were arbitrarily arrested.

    Philippines: demonstration against privatization of education ends with police brutality
  11. News 7 February 2008

    Ethiopia: EI deplores judicial dissolution of the ETA

    Gemoraw Kassa, General Secretary of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association and about 30 other members of ETA, on Thursday, February 7th heard the shocking news that their appeal to the Supreme High Court was denied. The court upheld an earlier decision which ordered the ETA to hand over property, other assets,...

    Ethiopia: EI deplores judicial dissolution of the ETA
  12. News 5 February 2008

    Ethiopia: High Level Delegation to provide support to EI affiliate

    A four person EI delegation is currently in Ethiopia to enter into a dialogue with the Ethiopian authorities to press the case for the respect of trade union and human rights. The delegation is composed of the General Secretaries of the British and Ugandan teachers unions, respectively Steve SINNOTT and...

    Ethiopia: High Level Delegation to provide support to EI affiliate
  13. News 21 January 2008

    World AIDS Day: Teachers share experiences of One Hour on AIDS

    In 2007 EI and its affiliates launched a brand new initiative called ‘One Hour on AIDS’ which affords teachers the opportunity to bring the World AIDS Day campaign into the classrooms. As a result, World AIDS Day 2007 saw teachers and children in schools around the world benefiting from a...

    World AIDS Day: Teachers share experiences of One Hour on AIDS
  14. News 21 January 2008

    Ghana, Benin and Burundi: Teacher Unions Make Progress on Training

    EI works with the WHO on a programme dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention and related risky behaviours in schools in Ghana, Benin and Burundi. An EI workshop recently brought teacher unions from these countries together to assess the progress made over the last year and to learn about new EI training...

    Ghana, Benin and Burundi: Teacher Unions Make Progress on Training
  15. News 21 January 2008

    Gabon: HIV/AIDS prevention included in school curriculum

    Last October the National AIDS Committee situated within the Gabonese Ministry of Education (Colusimen) met to develop a harmonised curriculum on HIV/AIDS education. EI welcomes the decision of the Gabonese Government to include HIV/AIDS in the school curriculum.

    Gabon: HIV/AIDS prevention included in school curriculum