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. Publications

    Trade union rights toolkit

    8 December 2022

    To support education unions everywhere in their struggle to defend their members’ rights, Education International has developed the Trade Union Rights Toolkit. The toolkit aims to equip education unions to formulate cases when their rights are violated and defend their cases based on the fundamental rights of the global community.

    Trade union rights toolkit
    1. Download
  2. Take action! 7 October 2024

    Education International reiterates call for solidarity with teachers and students in Palestine

    Education International (EI) renews its call for solidarity to support Palestinian teachers in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as they continue to advocate for their students despite unprecedented military attacks, catastrophic living conditions, and widespread starvation. In addition, teachers in Gaza and the West Bank have not received...

    Education International reiterates call for solidarity with teachers and students in Palestine
  3. News 27 September 2024

    Education International joins Global Unions in demanding Israel pays owed wages of over 200,000 Palestinian workers

    A complaint against the Israeli government for blatant violations of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Protection of Wages Convention has been filed by nine global trade unions, with members in over 160 countries representing 207 million workers. The complaint highlights the obligations of Israeli authorities to redress and remedy a...

    Education International joins Global Unions in demanding Israel pays owed wages of over 200,000 Palestinian workers
  4. News 24 September 2024

    Chad: A union congress vital for the future of education

    During the 6th ordinary Congress of the Chad Teachers’ Union (Syndicat des enseignants du Tchad – SET), unionists reinvigorated their union, discussed strategies to ensure the teaching profession is valued, reviewed the union’s statutory provisions, nominated national advisers, and elected a new national executive committee.

    Chad: A union congress vital for the future of education
  5. News 13 September 2024

    Guatemala: Murder of teacher and union leader René Sucup Morán condemned worldwide

    Education International and its Regional Committee for Latin America condemn the murder of René Sucup Morán, a teacher and STEG union leader, and call on the government to ensure an immediate and full investigation. The international trade union and education community insists that this crime must not go unpunished and...

    Guatemala: Murder of teacher and union leader René Sucup Morán condemned worldwide
  6. Take action! 11 September 2024

    Education International calls for the immediate release of Palestinian teacher union activist Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi

    Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi, a 54-year-old Palestinian kindergarten teacher, is the President of the Jericho branch of the Palestine General Union of Workers in Kindergarten and Private Schools (GUWKPS), a member organisation of Education International. In January 2024, she was arrested at her home by the Israeli Defense Forces and transferred...

    Education International calls for the immediate release of Palestinian teacher union activist Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi
  7. News 23 August 2024

    Taiwan teacher union leader on hunger strike for pension fund

    In an effort to ensure justice and accountability, Hou Chung-Liang, President of the National Teachers’ Association (NTA Taiwan), has embarked on a hunger strike since August 20th. This drastic action aims to pressure the government into fulfilling its obligations as the employer of all civil servants, including teachers and education...

    Taiwan teacher union leader on hunger strike for pension fund
  8. News 20 August 2024

    Global union movement rallies in support of the world’s educators

    Teachers and education support personnel are the cornerstone of a sustainable, equitable, peaceful, and democratic future for all communities worldwide. This was the message delivered by top global union leaders at the 10th World Congress of Education International (EI) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Global union movement rallies in support of the world’s educators
  9. News 31 July 2024

    Trade unions rally against far-right nationalism and mobilize for rights and gender equality

    Education trade unions worldwide are advocating for fully funded, inclusive public education systems to counter the rising tide of far-right nationalism and authoritarianism. This urgent plea was made during a breakout session titled “Mobilizing for Rights and Gender Equality in the Face of Far-Right Nationalism and Authoritarianism,” held on July...

    Trade unions rally against far-right nationalism and mobilize for rights and gender equality
  10. Take action! 19 July 2024

    Education International Launches Petition in Support of Swaziland National Association of Teachers

    Education International (EI) launched a petition on the trade union platform LabourStart in support of the the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) , its affiliate in the country. EI called on the Eswatini Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to recognize the SNAT as a partner in social dialogue, reinstate SNAT...

    Education International Launches Petition in Support of Swaziland National Association of Teachers
  11. News 1 July 2024

    Education unions call on ILO to ensure implementation of UN recommendations on the teaching profession

    At the 112th session of the International Labour Conference, the delegation of Education International brought attention to the recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession as the new landmark instrument for governments to engage with teacher unions, aiming to improve the status of education workers and...

    Education unions call on ILO to ensure implementation of UN recommendations on the teaching profession
  12. News 25 June 2024

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy

    "This year’s report makes for difficult reading – a clear and urgent wake-up call that the future of democracy and fundamental rights agreed by most countries at an international level are at risk”, warned Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary, as introduction to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index .

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy
  13. Research

    Impact on Afghan Teachers of the Restrictions on the Right to Learn and to Teach

    Research on Teachers’ Status and Working Conditions in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan
    14 June 2024

    From March to May of 2023, Education International and one of its member organisations in Afghanistan, the National Teacher Elected Council (NTEC), conducted a survey among the country’s teachers. The findings paint a bleak picture, revealing the impact of Taliban policy on Afghanistan’s teachers, students, and education system.

    Impact on Afghan Teachers of the Restrictions on the Right to Learn and to Teach
    1. Download
  14. News 11 June 2024

    Education International calls on the ILO to ensure UN recommendations on the teaching profession are implemented

    At the 112th session of the International Labour Conference, Education International Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst called for better salaries and working conditions to address the global teacher shortage. She further called for the implementation of the landmark recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, as...

    Education International calls on the ILO to ensure UN recommendations on the teaching profession are implemented
  15. News 5 June 2024

    Education International delegation to defend teachers’ rights at the International Labour Conference

    From 3-14 June, an Education International (EI) delegation is attending the 112th session of the International Labour Conference. Sixty-nine teachers and education professionals from 35 countries are present at the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    Education International delegation to defend teachers’ rights at the International Labour Conference
  16. News 31 May 2024

    Guatemala: Education union leaders under attack for defending quality public education

    Education International Latin America (EILA) has written to the government of Guatemala to protest the persecution of the leadership of its member organisation in the country, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación de Guatemala (STEG).

    Guatemala: Education union leaders under attack for defending quality public education
  17. News 26 April 2024

    Haiti: Education keeps hope alive amidst the chaos

    Whilst the country goes through a deep, multifaceted crisis, teachers continue their fight to ensure education once again becomes a priority; a prerequisite for reestablishing lasting peace and prosperity in Haiti.

    Haiti: Education keeps hope alive amidst the chaos
  18. News 15 April 2024

    Benin: Union elections give hope of real social dialogue in the education sector

    Education International welcomed the elections held in the education sector in Benin from March 29th to April 1st. Organised by the Minister of Pre-School and Primary Education, the vote marked a crucial step towards social dialogue and teacher union representation.

    Benin: Union elections give hope of real social dialogue in the education sector