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 27 September 2022

    India: Teachers demand the reinstatement of their old pension scheme under union management

    The All India Primary Teachers’ Federation (AIPTF) has taken a strong stand defending teachers and government employees fighting for their postretirement benefits, especially pensions, so that they can lead decent lives. Answering its call, union members and teachers protested in large numbers in over 20 Indian provinces on September 20th...

    India: Teachers demand the reinstatement of their old pension scheme under union management
  2. News 22 September 2022

    Iraq: Call for increased financial means for quality public education as new academic year starts

    Holding its 41st meeting in the presence of the Kurdistan’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Aram Qadr, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) Executive Council focused on the start of the new academic year and took stock of activities undertaken since they last met. They also called on...

    Iraq: Call for increased financial means for quality public education as new academic year starts
  3. News 16 September 2022

    Gabon: a favourable start to the 2022 academic year thanks to social dialogue

    Launching its trade union activities at the start of the new school year, national education union, SENA (Syndicat de l’Education Nationale) welcomed the progress achieved last year through social dialogue and called on the government to continue with the talks in order to resolve the issues raised by the union...

    Gabon: a favourable start to the 2022 academic year thanks to social dialogue
  4. News 15 September 2022

    Latin America and the world to celebrate Paulo Freire's legacy

    This commemoration will take place at the closing of the events to mark Freire's centenary in Recife, Brazil. Activities include the VI Meeting of the Latin American Pedagogical Movement and the Meeting of the Education International Latin America (EILA) Network of Education Workers.

    Latin America and the world to celebrate Paulo Freire's legacy
  5. News 13 September 2022

    Kosovo: Teachers’ strike for decent pay met with intimidation campaign

    Teachers in Kosovo have joined administration workers in a general strike for decent pay. Since the beginning of the strike on August 25, the Union of Education, Science and Culture of Kosova, Education International member organisation, has been the target of repeated attacks from a government that refuses to negotiate...

    Kosovo: Teachers’ strike for decent pay met with intimidation campaign
  6. News 13 September 2022

    Iranian teachers continue to face repression, despite recent release of union officials

    Last month, EI welcomed the release on bail of three Iranian teacher union activists. They were amongst the many teachers that have been arrested and detained since May Day in Iran. Despite the good news, the CCITTA and Education International call on the international teaching community to keep the pressure...

    Iranian teachers continue to face repression, despite recent release of union officials
  7. News 30 August 2022

    Ukraine: Trade unions strongly oppose new law that undermines labour rights, collective bargaining, and democracy

    A new law deprives as many as 70% of Ukrainian workers of labour protections, including their collective bargaining rights. Trade unions in Ukraine, including Education International member organisation, the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine, are dismayed at this push to undermine the rights of workers in...

    Ukraine: Trade unions strongly oppose new law that undermines labour rights, collective bargaining, and democracy
  8. News 20 August 2022

    Teacher strike in Norway!

    All teacher trade unions are now on strike in Norway. The two main reasons are the lack of qualified teachers, and salaries.

    Teacher strike in Norway!
  9. News 5 August 2022

    Ghana: unions win improved living conditions for public service workers

    The Agreement on a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) concluded on 14 July between the Government of Ghana and workers’ unions and associations within the public sector in this country gives all public sector employees increased remuneration.

    Ghana: unions win improved living conditions for public service workers
  10. News 2 August 2022

    Hungary: teachers’ unions win court case on strike

    The Syndicat des Enseignants de Hongrie (PSZ-SEH) and the Teachers' Democratic Union of Hungary (PDSZ), both affiliated to Education International, have had the strike that they organised in January 2022 for a pay raise for teachers and education workers recognised as legal by the National Supreme Court.

    Hungary: teachers’ unions win court case on strike
  11. News 27 July 2022

    Belarus: Education International denounces liquidation of independent trade unions and imprisonment of trade unionists

    Education International firmly condemns attacks on free trade unions by the authorities of Belarus as part of the long campaign to destroy democratic forces. On 18 July, the Supreme Court liquidated and dissolved the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) along with its four member organisations, three of which...

    Belarus: Education International denounces liquidation of independent trade unions and imprisonment of trade unionists
  12. News 20 July 2022

    Uganda: Government must put an immediate halt to the intimidation of teachers

    Education International has firmly condemned the intimidation of teachers currently taking industrial action led by the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), an organisation affiliated to Education International.

    Uganda: Government must put an immediate halt to the intimidation of teachers
  13. News 18 July 2022

    Global education union movement mourns Aloysius Matthews and celebrates his legacy

    Aloysius Matthews passed away peacefully on July 18, 2022. He was the Chief Regional Coordinator of the Education International Asia Pacific Region from 1996 to 2013. He was also the founding General Secretary of the National Union of the Teaching Profession, Malaysia and Regional Fund Manager for the Civil Society...

    Global education union movement mourns Aloysius Matthews and celebrates his legacy
  14. News 8 July 2022

    European educators reaffirm their commitment to enhance the status of the teaching profession for inclusive, peaceful, democratic and sustainable societies

    Confronted with turbulent times for teachers, educational staff and their trade unions, delegates at the Special Conference of the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), the European region of Education International (EI), took a pro-active stand and reasserted their will to mobilise and organise for quality public education, for...

    European educators reaffirm their commitment to enhance the status of the teaching profession for inclusive, peaceful, democratic and sustainable societies
  15. News 7 July 2022

    Iraq: An attack on teachers leads to the destruction of society

    Strongly condemning the murder of two academics in its Iraqi region, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) has reaffirmed that an attack on teachers is an attack on education, which is the keystone of peaceful, healthy and sustainable society.

    Iraq: An attack on teachers leads to the destruction of society