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 13 September 2007

    EFAIDS Programme Branches Out!

    EI, the EDC and WHO have developed two new toolkits which will be the basis of training sessions carried out by teachers’ unions participating in the EFAIDS Programme over the coming months.

    EFAIDS Programme Branches Out!
  2. News 13 September 2007

    Education International Congress examines EFAIDS issues

    What has been the experience of teachers’ unions on the EFAIDS Programme thus far? How is the training of teachers on HIV/AIDS education developing? What challenges still lie in the path of the unions striving to achieve the Education for All goals? These and other questions were reflected upon at...

    Education International Congress examines EFAIDS issues
  3. News 13 September 2007

    ActionAid Publish Report on Abstinence

    ActionAid have just published a report which develops new theories on the issue of sexual abstinence as a means of preventing HIV infection.

    ActionAid Publish Report on Abstinence
  4. News 30 August 2007

    Colombia: Raquel Castro finally released

    EI is delighted to inform all members and Global Union partners that Raquel Castro, Colombian teacher and union activist, was released from prison last August 2nd.

    Colombia: Raquel Castro finally released
  5. News 23 August 2007

    Mexico: Solution to the conflict in Oaxaca must be found, says EI

    Following the resolution passed by the 5th EI World Congress held in July 2007, EI urges the governor of the State of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, to find an immediate and satisfactory solution to end the conflict between the authorities and teachers.

    Mexico: Solution to the conflict in Oaxaca must be found, says EI
  6. News 14 August 2007

    Peru: Government urged to respect teachers' rights

    The 5th EI World Congress held from 22-26 July in Berlin passed an urgent resolution on the current situation in Peru, where the conflict between the government and teachers has resulted in many arrested and one teacher killed.

    Peru: Government urged to respect teachers' rights
  7. News 9 August 2007

    Albania: EI deplores eviction of trade union confederations

    Education International has written to the Albanian government to protest against the expulsion of nationally recognised trade union confederations the KSSH and the BSPSH from their offices in Tirana.

    Albania: EI deplores eviction of trade union confederations
  8. News 6 August 2007

    EI urges Philipines government to address extrajudicial killings

    Education International has written to the President of the Philippines following an urgent resolution adopted at the 5th World Congress calling on the government to immediately put a stop to extrajudicial killings and involuntary disappearances.

    EI urges Philipines government to address extrajudicial killings