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 16 May 2006

    Ethiopia: International mission from 18-23 May

    From May 18-23, an international mission composed of officials from Education International (EI), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) will be in Ethiopia to meet with Ethiopian government officials, embassy officials, and detained ETA officials.

    Ethiopia: International mission from 18-23 May
  2. News 16 May 2006

    Macedonia: EI condemns breach of agreement

    EI sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia to condemn the government's breach of a wage agreement with teachers.

    Macedonia: EI condemns breach of agreement
  3. News 12 May 2006

    Côte d’Ivoire: EI protests to the President

    Further to the news item dated 10 May, EI issues a letter to the President of Côte d’Ivoire, demading him to open an impartial inquiry into the pillage of SYNESCI headoffice and guarantee the social dialogue with teacher union representatives and the legal undertaking of trade union activities.

    Côte d’Ivoire: EI protests to the President
  4. News 10 May 2006

    Ethiopia: EI relaunches Urgent Action Appeal

    EI has relaunched its Urgent Action Appeal for Ethiopia, to bring to the attention of member and partner organisations worldwide the urgent situation its affiliate, the "Ethiopian Teacher Association" (ETA) is now in. The Ethiopian government has repeatedly harassed and threatened the ETA, by dispossessing it of its properties, imprisonning...

    Ethiopia: EI relaunches Urgent Action Appeal
  5. News 10 May 2006

    Côte d'Ivoire: SYNESCI headoffice occupied and devastated

    EI contacted the President of Côte d'Ivoire to deplore the occupation and devastation of the headoffice of affiliate, the "Syndicat national des enseignants du second degré de Côte d’Ivoire" (SYNESCI) since 4 May. An EI mission conducted at the end of April was not able to confirm the physical security...

    Côte d'Ivoire: SYNESCI headoffice occupied and devastated
  6. News 9 May 2006

    Macedonia: The Government is cheating teachers

    EI has been informed that the Government of Macedonia is not intending to honour the wage deal it reached with the teachers' union SONK in February 2006 to be implemented tomorrow, May 10.

    Macedonia: The Government is cheating teachers
  7. News 3 May 2006

    Cambodia: EI protests against May Day ban!

    EI voiced its strong protest to the Prime Minister of Cambodia in a letter dated 2 May against a ban on May Day celebrations by its affiliate, the Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association (CITA).

    Cambodia: EI protests against May Day ban!
  8. News 21 April 2006

    EI letter to the ILO concerning Nepal

    EI sent a letter to the ILO Labour Standards Deputy Director voicing its concern about the violation of human rights by the Nepalese government. In the letter, EI informed the Deputy Director that 20 teacher and union leaders were detained during a crackdown of a general strike on 6 Apr.

    EI letter to the ILO concerning Nepal
  9. News 21 April 2006

    Nepal: EI supports its affiliates during crackdown

    EI is very concerned about the rising instability in Nepal, where citizens are the victims of repression against Maoist opponents and supporters of democracy. Since 6 Apr, Nepalese citizens have been rallying peacefully everywhere in the country to call for the return to democratic governance, but the excessive use of...

    Nepal: EI supports its affiliates during crackdown
  10. News 20 April 2006

    UK: Union leader quits through stress

    A former president of EI affiliate the National Union of Teachers broke down in tears yesterday as he revealed how stress and "government bullying" had forced him to quit the teaching profession.

    UK: Union leader quits through stress
  11. News 4 April 2006

    Ethiopia: EI letter to the Prime Minister

    EI issued a formal letter to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on 4 Apr, protesting against the ruling of the Ethiopian Federal High Court on 30 March to recognise the government-sponsored Ethiopian Teacher Association instead of the authentic Ethiopian Teacher Association affiliated to EI.

    Ethiopia: EI letter to the Prime Minister
  12. News 4 April 2006

    Kenya: Prepare for strike, union tells teachers

    EI affiliate the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called on its members to brace for a nationwide strike should the Government fail to implement the remaining phase of their salary increase scheme.

    Kenya: Prepare for strike, union tells teachers
  13. News 31 March 2006

    Ethiopia: International mobilisation to support the authentic teachers' association

    EI witnessed another dramatic development affecting teachers and their union in Ethiopia. On Thursday 30 March 2006, the Ethiopian Federal High Court ruled that the authentic ETA leadership (EI's affiliate) has to hand over every asset and property of the association to a government-sponsored group also called ETA.

    Ethiopia: International mobilisation to support the authentic teachers' association
  14. News 31 March 2006

    Bahamas: Teachers’ Union Calls Industrial Action

    After several weeks of locking horns with government negotiators, officials of EI affiliate the Bahamas Union of Teachers have instructed public school teachers to go on "work to rule" and threatened that more serious action could follow.

    Bahamas: Teachers’ Union Calls Industrial Action
  15. News 31 March 2006

    EI letter of support to French affiliates

    Education International has written a letter of support to French affiliates concerning the First Employment Contract (CPE) job law.

    EI letter of support to French affiliates
  16. News 28 March 2006

    Zimbabwe: Further harassment of trade union leader

    Raymond Majongwe, General Secretary of the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), was detained for 8 hours on 24 March for "driving" a group of four Dutch trade unionists visiting the country. Police in the Mabvuku suburb of Harare said "Majongwe’s visitors were taking pictures of police activities at a...

    Zimbabwe: Further harassment of trade union leader