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. Statements 30 April 2023

    May Day 2023: Education unions call on governments to Go Public! Fund Education

    To mark May Day, Education International, the global voice of the teaching profession, is calling on governments everywhere to fully fund public education systems, and guarantee labour rights and good working conditions for teachers and education support personnel. Well-resourced, inclusive, and equitable quality public education systems are a prerequisite for...

    May Day 2023: Education unions call on governments to Go Public! Fund Education
  2. News 24 April 2023

    Strengthening education unions, a key priority in Latin America

    Cooperation and solidarity, the Pedagogical Movement and women workers in education and their network. These initiatives to strengthen education unions were debated during the Education International (EI) Development Cooperation Café dedicated to the Latin American region.

    Strengthening education unions, a key priority in Latin America
  3. News 19 April 2023

    Sudan – Education International calls for the protection of students, teachers and education facilities

    Education International strongly advocates for the right to education and condemns any actions that jeopardize this fundamental human right. The ongoing fighting in Sudan has resulted in restricted movement and disrupted access to education, which is crucial for the country's stability and development.

    Sudan – Education International calls for the protection of students, teachers and education facilities
  4. News 11 April 2023

    Eswatini: Education International fully supports education unionists

    Education International (EI) sent a High-Level Mission to Eswatini to reiterate on-site the support of the education union community to colleagues in the country, and to urge the national governmental authorities to put an immediate halt to the persecution of Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) leaders, introduce democratic governance...

    Eswatini: Education International fully supports education unionists
  5. Statements 17 March 2023

    Executive Board Resolution on Eswatini

    The Education International (EI) Executive Board has reaffirmed EI’s unwavering solidarity and support for the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), its leadership and members.

    Executive Board Resolution on Eswatini
  6. News 8 March 2023

    Central African Republic: the government must respect the right to strike and respond to union demands through dialogue

    Education International condemns the threats against the leaders of the Central African education unions who have filed a strike notice via a union platform. Threats were also made against non-unionised teachers who joined this action. It urges the competent authorities to engage in negotiations to provide real answers to the...

    Central African Republic: the government must respect the right to strike and respond to union demands through dialogue
  7. News 17 February 2023

    Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!

    Education International denounces the continuous attacks on trade union leaders in Eswatini and condemns the targeting of Mbongwa Dlamini, President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), a member organisation of Education International.

    Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!
  8. News 17 February 2023

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education

    Many development cooperation (DC) partners participated in the Education International (EI) Café at the EI Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure (ACCRS). They received information on recent challenges and progress of education unions in the region.

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education
  9. News 16 February 2023

    Philippines: Educators submit recommendations to ILO to ensure the protection of trade union rights

    Education International (EI) has welcomed the recent International Labour Organization High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO HLTM) to the Philippines. This mission is the result of longstanding advocacy by human and trade union activists in this country, and EI national member organisations – the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the Federation...

    Philippines: Educators submit recommendations to ILO to ensure the protection of trade union rights
  10. News 13 February 2023

    Social and policy dialogue, a key to union renewal?

    Education International member organisation Union of Education Norway is exploring new ways of structuring development cooperation (DC) projects and ensuring that the educators’ voice is heard when decisions are made concerning educational issues and the teaching profession.

    Social and policy dialogue, a key to union renewal?
  11. News 9 February 2023

    Uruguay: Trade unions denounce espionage of teachers and students

    Fenapes, an education union affiliated to Education International, has denounced the practice of spying on union members and school pupils, as revealed by an investigative journalism report.

    Uruguay: Trade unions denounce espionage of teachers and students
  12. Take action! 8 February 2023

    Global Action Day in support of teachers and workers in Iran

    On 8 February, Education International joins trade unions all over the world for a Global Action Day in support of Iranian teachers and workers in their struggle for decent working conditions, union rights, democracy and freedom. Education International calls on its member organisations to show solidarity with the labour and...

    Global Action Day in support of teachers and workers in Iran
  13. News 2 February 2023

    Tanzania Teachers Union leadership appointments sparked concerns

    The Republic of Tanzania authorities have responded to concerns raised by Education International and have reevaluated their previous appointments of senior education union officials. The appointments in question involved Lucas Ulaya, Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU) President, and Maganga Japhet, TTU Secretary General, who had been unilaterally assigned to the positions...

    Tanzania Teachers Union leadership appointments sparked concerns
  14. Take action! 1 February 2023

    Myanmar : Global Action Day and solidarity for the return of democracy

    On the second anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, Education International (EI) joined the Global Day of Action called by the Confederation of Trade Unions, Myanmar (CTUM) to demand for the formal diplomatic recognition of the National Unity Government (NUG) as the legitimate representatives of the people of Myanmar,...

    Myanmar : Global Action Day and solidarity for the return of democracy
  15. News 31 January 2023

    UK: Educators deserve a pay rise now!

    Education International and member organisations fully support the National Education Union (NEU), organising a one-day strike in England and Wales on February 1st to demand a fully funded, above inflation pay rise for educators.

    UK: Educators deserve a pay rise now!