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 3 July 2006

    Mexico: EI condemns the use of violence against striking teachers!

    In a letter sent to the government of Mexico on 29 June, EI condemns the use of any form of violence against striking teachers. The message is sent in the light of the police's forceful eviction of strikers on 14 June.

    Mexico: EI condemns the use of violence against striking teachers!
  2. News 3 July 2006

    Cambodia: Teacher strike postponed

    EI affiliate the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), and the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) is postponing the strike due to be held today, until further notice.

    Cambodia: Teacher strike postponed
  3. News 27 June 2006

    Guinea: EI condemns gross violations of trade union rights

    EI issued a letter dated 27 June to the State Minister of Guinea, Fodé Bangoura, condemning the death threat made to SLECG General Secretary, Louis Mbemba Soumah, nor the minister's vow on 12 June to "crush trade unionists".

    Guinea: EI condemns gross violations of trade union rights
  4. News 27 June 2006

    Cambodia: Teachers to strike on 3rd July

    Members of EI affiliate the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA) will join the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC) in a nationwide strike on Monday 3rd July.

    Cambodia: Teachers to strike on 3rd July
  5. News 22 June 2006

    Mexico: No repression and more dialogue requested in Oaxaca

    EI is very concerned with reported security forces repression of the social movement led by teachers in Oaxaca. EI is encouraging the Mexican authorities to dialogue, not to repress.

    Mexico: No repression and more dialogue requested in Oaxaca
  6. News 19 June 2006

    Korea: KFTA appoints new Secretary General

    EI affiliate the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) have elected Mr. CHO Heung-Soon, their current Chief Director of Organisation Division, as new Secretary General following the end of term in office of former secretary general, Mr. Son In-Sik.

    Korea: KFTA appoints new Secretary General
  7. News 9 June 2006

    Ghana: Teachers and Educational Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

    Salary arrears and the lack of progress in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement have driven EI affiliate the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) to strike indefinitely. An ultimatum presented to President John Kufuor’s government says if demands are not met by next week, teachers in higher institutions will...

    Ghana: Teachers and Educational Workers Begin Indefinite Strike
  8. News 8 June 2006

    General Debate Statement by Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary of Education International at the International Labour Conference, Geneva

    EI has requested ILO to set international standards for the recruitment of teachers. In his address to the annual ILO Conference in Geneva, EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen said that industrialized countries should not try to remedy teacher shortages by poaching teachers from low-income countries. Van Leeuwen recommended that...

    General Debate Statement by Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary of Education International at the International Labour Conference, Geneva
  9. News 7 June 2006

    Romania: Teachers ask president to mediate conflict

    Romanian EI affiliate Fédération des Syndicats de l’Enseignement SPIRU-HARET have demanded President Traian Basescu to once again intervene in their relations with the government, as the agreement reached with the government after their last protest has not been respected.

    Romania: Teachers ask president to mediate conflict
  10. News 6 June 2006

    Ethiopia: EI mission relaunches social dialogue

    An international trade union mission composed of two representatives from EI and the African director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) managed to open doors in Ethiopia. Meetings could soon be secured with the Ethiopian Ministers of Education and Information, together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and embassy...

    Ethiopia: EI mission relaunches social dialogue
  11. News 31 May 2006

    Macedonia: Positive Outcome for Teachers and SONK

    After EI's letter to the Macedonian government dated 16 May to condemn its breach of a wage agreement with the teachers, the latter finally approved an agreement on 26 May to respect the wage deal signed with the teachers' union SONK, an EI affiliate.

    Macedonia: Positive Outcome for Teachers and SONK
  12. News 31 May 2006

    Ethiopia: Teacher detained - EI writes to Minister of Education

    Education International has written to Dr Sintayehu Michael, the Ethiopian Minister of Education, drawing his attention to the case of Mulunesh Abebayehu Teklewold, a female teacher who has been held without trial since November 2005.

    Ethiopia: Teacher detained - EI writes to Minister of Education
  13. News 31 May 2006

    Australia: Education International supports affiliate the NTEU

    Education International has written to the ILO in support of Australian affiliate the NTEU. The action was prompted by the Australian Government’s Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs), legislation which constitutes a breach of ILO Conventions ratified by Australia.

    Australia: Education International supports affiliate the NTEU
  14. News 30 May 2006

    EI at the 95th International Labour Conference

    This year, Education International will once again be present at the 95th International Labour Conference (ILC) which will open on 31 May in Geneva. The Conference is the annual tripartite meeting of the International Labour Organisation's 178 member states.

    EI at the 95th International Labour Conference
  15. News 29 May 2006

    UK: Lecturers prepared for prolonged pay battle with universities

    Leaders of Britain's largest lecturers' union, EI affiliate the NATFHE, have voted unanimously to escalate their national pay dispute with universities, with a call to hold out for their demands "to Christmas and beyond".

    UK: Lecturers prepared for prolonged pay battle with universities