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 January 2007

    Ethiopia: Amnesty International adopts detained ETA officials as prisoners of conscience

    Education International is happy to have the support of Amnesty International in its appeal for the release of ETA officials. An urgent action appeal was launched on 4 Jan for the release of Tilahun Ayalew, Anteneh Getnet and Meqcha Mengistu, who are prominent members of EI's affiliate, the Ethiopian Teacher...

    Ethiopia: Amnesty International adopts detained ETA officials as prisoners of conscience
  2. News 5 January 2007

    Pakistan: Sindh High Court ruled that the ban on teacher unions is illegal

    On 12 Dec 2006, the High Court of the Sindh province in Pakistan ruled in favour of the Sindh Primary Teachers' Association in a case against the provincial government's ban on all activities carried out by teacher unions. The Court declared the government's ban "unlawful and of no legal effect".

    Pakistan: Sindh High Court ruled that the ban on teacher unions is illegal
  3. News 4 January 2007

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia

    An urgent action appeal is launched on 4 January by EI, which calls on all member organisations and partners to support the elected union officers of the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA).

    EI launches Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia
  4. 1 January 2007

    Successful South-South cooperation

    The teaching profession in Africa has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. One of the most seriously affected countries in French-speaking Africa is Ivory Coast.

    Successful South-South cooperation
  5. News 21 December 2006

    Ethiopia: EI fears for the safety of two activist teachers

    Education International has been alerted by its affiliate, the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA) that two colleagues, Tilahun Ayalew and Meqcha Mengistu, are missing.

    Ethiopia: EI fears for the safety of two activist teachers
  6. News 7 December 2006

    EI strongly condemns the unlawful military takeover in Fiji

    Education International strongly condemns the unlawful military takeover in Fiji. "This unconstitutional move precludes the hopes for democracy and again throws the country into social turmoil," said the General Secretary of Education International, Fred van Leeuwen.

    EI strongly condemns the unlawful military takeover in Fiji
  7. News 5 December 2006

    Kenya: Education minister thanks UASU for calling off strike

    A six-week strike by university lecturers has been called off by their union, EI affiliate the University Academic staff Union (UASU), to pave way for negotiations.

    Kenya: Education minister thanks UASU for calling off strike
  8. News 1 December 2006

    HIV and AIDS: Teachers educate for life!

    On World AIDS Day and all year round, teachers are working to prevent new cases of HIV and AIDS and to halt the spread of the global pandemic, which has already killed more than 20 million people, including tens of thousands of teachers, and has orphaned at least 14 million...

    HIV and AIDS: Teachers educate for life!
  9. News 30 November 2006

    Australia: Trade unions unite on national day of protest

    Teachers will join workers from all other sectors across Australia today in the national day of protest against radical industrial relations reforms imposed by the government of Prime Minister John Howard.

    Australia: Trade unions unite on national day of protest
  10. News 22 November 2006

    Good News in ETA's Long Legal Struggle

    EI is very pleased to report news today from Ethiopia Teachers’ Association General Secretary Gemoraw Kassa that the registrar’s office of the Federal Supreme Court has informed the ETA that the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court on November 20 is in favour of the authentic ETA.

    Good News in ETA's Long Legal Struggle
  11. News 2 November 2006

    "Stop harassment of trade unions," EI tells the Zimbabwe goverment

    EI issued a message to the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe on 13 October, urging his government to stop harassing trade union leaders and members. EI was refering to the police intervention of World Teachers' Day celebration on 6 October by the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ).

    "Stop harassment of trade unions," EI tells the Zimbabwe goverment
  12. 1 November 2006

    Educate for life!

    Nomvuzo Vilo teaches Grade 6 at Emjalisweni Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. But by her words and deeds, she teaches much more than Grade 6 to her students, their parents and the community.

    Educate for life!
  13. News 5 October 2006

    Ethiopia: arrested teachers released on bail

    The two members of EI affiliate the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) detained since 23 September have been released on bail.

    Ethiopia: arrested teachers released on bail
  14. News 4 October 2006

    Ethiopia: Amnesty worries over jailed teachers

    The global human rights group Amnesty International fears for the safety of two Ethiopian teachers detained "incommunicado".

    Ethiopia: Amnesty worries over jailed teachers
  15. News 4 October 2006

    Mexico: Repression of striking teachers continues

    EI have written to the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox Quesada, calling for him to intervene immediately in order to bring about peaceful negotiations between the government and striking teachers.

    Mexico: Repression of striking teachers continues
  16. News 4 October 2006

    EI’s message of solidarity with the Teachers of Greece

    Education International has written to its Greek affiliates the Greek Primary Teachers Federation (DOE) and Federation of Secondary Teachers of Greece (OLME) in support of their demands for adequate funding for quality education.

    EI’s message of solidarity with the Teachers of Greece