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 February 2006

    Nepal: EI protests against the arrest of teacher trade unionists

    EI sent a message to the King of Nepal, strongly protesting against the massive arrests of human rights activists, including teachers belonging to its affiliated teacher unions in the country.

    Nepal: EI protests against the arrest of teacher trade unionists
  2. News 2 February 2006

    Four Canadian unions sign pact to protect collective bargaining

    EI affiliate the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) has joined three other labour organisations and formally signed a Mutual Aid and Assistance pact to promote and protect collective bargaining in Canada.

    Four Canadian unions sign pact to protect collective bargaining
  3. News 1 February 2006

    Cambodia: Charges Against CITA President dropped

    Please be informed that the charges against Rong Chhun President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), and Kem Sokha, President of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), Pa Nguon Teang, Deputy President of the CCHR, who were released on 17 January 2006, have been dropped. The charges against...

    Cambodia: Charges Against CITA President dropped
  4. News 1 February 2006

    Bahamas: Strike averted as negotiations begin

    EI affiliate the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) has decided not to take industrial action as they prepare to start negotiations with government negotiators over the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

    Bahamas: Strike averted as negotiations begin
  5. News 27 January 2006

    Guyana: Teachers “Stress Day” protest

    EI affiliate the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) is calling on its members to take the day off on February 1, dubbing the event 'Stress Day' as a form of industrial action to protest government's imposition of salaries and the manner in which negotiations have been dealt with over the past...

    Guyana: Teachers “Stress Day” protest
  6. News 27 January 2006

    International Trade Union Bodies Meet With UN Secretary General in Davos

    At a meeting with Kofi Annan at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January, the global trade union movement reached "good understandings" with the United Nations Secretary General on a series of key international issues.

    International Trade Union Bodies Meet With UN Secretary General in Davos
  7. News 25 January 2006

    SENA General Secretary appointed as Gabon's new Minister of Labour

    Christiane Bitougat, General Secretary of the Gabonese teachers' union SENA, has been appointed Labour Minister of the new government of Omar Bongo on Jan 19. She is also a member of the Francophone teachers' union committee CSFEF.

    SENA General Secretary appointed as Gabon's new Minister of Labour
  8. News 24 January 2006

    Tanzania: TTU President turns Education Minister

    It is a victory in the history of teacher trade unionism in Africa that the President of the Tanzania Teachers' Union (TTU), Margaret Sitta, has recently been appointed the country's Minister of Education and Vocational Training.

    Tanzania: TTU President turns Education Minister
  9. News 18 January 2006

    Cambodia: Rong Chhun released on bail – charges remain

    CITA have informed EI that Rong Chhun, their president who was arrested on October 15, was released on bail yesterday. Chhun’s release on bail follows a campaign of intense pressure by the international trade union movement, including the ICFTU, Education International and a number of its affiliates.

    Cambodia: Rong Chhun released on bail – charges remain
  10. News 18 January 2006

    Kenya: KNUT resists budget cuts

    EI affiliate the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has vowed to resist any attempts by the Minister for Finance to slash the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education.

    Kenya: KNUT resists budget cuts
  11. News 9 January 2006

    Cambodia: The UN defends trade union rights

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement on 4 January deploring the "series of defamation, incitement and disinformation law suits and arrests of members of civil society, trade unions, media and the Sam Rainsy opposition party in the course of last year."

    Cambodia: The UN defends trade union rights
  12. News 6 January 2006

    Bulgaria: Hunger Strike ends, unions remain on strike alert until demands are met

    Bulgarian teachers stopped their hunger strike in December, though EI affiliates SEB and Podkrepa have refused to sign a wage agreement offered by the government and will remain on strike alert when term commences on 10 th January.

    Bulgaria: Hunger Strike ends, unions remain on strike alert until demands are met