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 7 July 2021

    Iraq: Social dialogue leads to a roadmap for quality education

    During their meeting with the Education Minister of the Iraqi region of Kurdistan, leaders the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) were able to address several crucial educational issues. This led to the elaboration of a roadmap aiming to improve the educational system.

    Iraq: Social dialogue leads to a roadmap for quality education
  2. Worlds of Education 1 July 2021

    An online union academy made in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Jacques Taty Mwakupemba, Augustin Tumba Nzuji

    The Online Union Academy [Académie Syndicale en Ligne, ASL] project set up by the Congo National Federation of Teachers and Social Educators (FENECO/UNTC) is part of the capacity-building activities of unions working in the education sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Primary, Secondary and Technical Education; Higher and University...

    An online union academy made in the Democratic Republic of Congo
  3. Statements 25 June 2021

    Convention 190 can change lives | Joint statement of the Global Union Federations and the International Trade Union Confederation

    The adoption of International Labour Organization (ILO)Convention 190 andRecommendation 206 on Violence and Harassment in the world of work is a victory for the trade union and labour movement. The adoption of these instruments is the culmination of years of campaigning and lobbying by trade unions, and in particular women...

    Convention 190 can change lives | Joint statement of the Global Union Federations and the International Trade Union Confederation
  4. Publications

    Training of Trainers Toolkit on the ILO Violence And Harassment Convention (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206)

    25 June 2021

    The historical adoption of the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention 190 (C190) and Recommendation 206 (R206) in 2019 by the International Labour Conference has created a new momentum in the fight against violence and harassment – including gender-based violence and harassment - in the world of work.

    Training of Trainers Toolkit on the ILO Violence And Harassment Convention (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206)
    1. Facilitator Guide
    2. Activity Workbook
    3. Kolaylaştirici rehberi
    4. Etkinlik çalişma kitabi
    5. دليل المرشد
    6. كتاب الأنشطة
  5. News 25 June 2021

    Global trade union movement launches toolkit in campaign to eradicate violence and harassment in the world of work

    As the International Labour Organization Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work comes into force on 25 June 2021, global unions launchtoolkit to support the Convention and its Recommendation 206 . The manual provides thousands of unions around the world with critical tools in the fight...

    Global trade union movement launches toolkit in campaign to eradicate violence and harassment in the world of work
  6. News 6 May 2021

    Colombia: Global education movement condemns abuses of basic human rights

    Education International and its affiliates around the globe are deeply concerned about the brutal repression of protests in Colombia. The global trade union federation demands democratic governance of the country and urges public authorities to put a halt to human rights abuses.

    Colombia: Global education movement condemns abuses of basic human rights
  7. News 5 May 2021

    Korea: EI Denounces discriminatory property registration system for teachers

    The Korean Federation of Teachers Association (KFTA), a member organisation of Education International, reported that the Korean government is trying to impose new measures that would force teachers and other public servants to register their properties as well as those of their spouses, parents, children, and grandchildren with the authorities.

    Korea: EI Denounces discriminatory property registration system for teachers
  8. Take action! 29 April 2021

    Democracy in danger in Haiti: education unions mobilise

    Despite the massive mobilisation of civil society, with the education unions in the front line, President Jovenel Moïse is eroding Haitian democracy a little more every day. The right to organise and the right to education are no longer respected. The country is sinking into violence, under the indifferent gaze...

    Democracy in danger in Haiti: education unions mobilise
  9. News 29 April 2021

    Marking May Day: Global education unions in solidarity with Taiwanese educators

    May Day for All –Education International stands in solidarity and in support of the National Teachers Association (NTA) of Taiwan, in its fight to recognise and ratify 1 May as the national holiday for working men and women in the country.

    Marking May Day: Global education unions in solidarity with Taiwanese educators
  10. Take action! 23 April 2021

    Education International Condemns the Coup and Repression in Myanmar

    UPDATE - 23 April 2021 | In a resolution adopted at its 57th meeting, held virtually, the Education International Executive Board condemned the coup d’état in Myanmar, the refusal to accept the results of the election, the violence against protesters and strikers and the arrest of elected leaders, trade unionists...

    Education International Condemns the Coup and Repression in Myanmar
  11. News 14 April 2021

    Global index finds most countries do not respect academic freedom and shows signs of decline

    The second edition of the Academic Freedom Index (AFi) shows that only 20 per cent of the world’s population lives in countries where academic freedom is well protected. There are signs of decline in many countries. The pandemic, with the wide use of distance learning, produced additional threats. Academic autonomy...

    Global index finds most countries do not respect academic freedom and shows signs of decline
  12. News 7 April 2021

    USA: Education unions join forces to build back better education system

    With a new administration vowing to “build back better” from the public health, education, and economic crises of the Trump era, the two largest US educators’ unions, both Education International affiliates, have a shared agenda to ensure students and school communities receive the support they need for recovery and renewal.

    USA: Education unions join forces to build back better education system
  13. News 6 April 2021

    Europe: Study on industrial relations and privatisation

    A study for the ETUCE, EI’s European region, showed the impact of market ideology and management practices and privatisation on industrial relations and social dialogue. In addition to looking at the evolution of EU policy in the past decade, researchers studied different methods and results of industrial relations in Francophone...

    Europe: Study on industrial relations and privatisation
  14. Worlds of Education 30 March 2021

    "Today, solidarity with women is a fight for democracy”, by Sławomir Broniarz.

    Slawomir Broniarz

    Currently, women and LGBTI people in Poland face a very difficult situation. However, it would be wrong and short-sighted to see attacks on women or LGBTI people as the problem of a single country or of one radically conservative government that seeks to establish an authoritarian regime. Poland is not...

    "Today, solidarity with women is a fight for democracy”, by Sławomir Broniarz.
  15. News 26 March 2021

    COVID-19 impact continues to affect terms and conditions in education

    Deepening inequalities across the education sector were revealed at a recent Education International webinar. Affiliates shared experiences of working to improve the terms and working conditions of teachers, academics, and education support personnel. The webinar aimed to inform Education International’s work in this area during the current public health crisis.

    COVID-19 impact continues to affect terms and conditions in education
  16. News 26 March 2021

    Mauritania: Educators’ strike for pay increase and better living conditions

    On 22 March, teachers engaged in a three-day general strike to demand a pay increase and better living conditions. This strike was punctuated with massive protests near the Education Ministry headquarters in the capital city, Nouakchott, and in the various provinces.

    Mauritania: Educators’ strike for pay increase and better living conditions