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 2020-01-09

    Australia: trade unions mobilise in the national bushfire crisis

    Education International commends the Australian Council of Trade Unions for its prompt reaction to help communities affected by the raging bushfires and its call for donation and/or volunteering.

    Australia: trade unions mobilise in the national bushfire crisis
  2. Opinion 2019-12-09

    “Philippines: On Persecuting Teachers and Weaponizing Education”, by Raymond D. Basilio.

    Teachers and education in the Philippines are under siege. The Duterte government’s worsening attacks on all forms of dissent, disguised as a ‘whole-of-nation approach’ purportedly to end local communist insurgency, is taking its toll on the sector that is universally mandated to espouse and uphold social justice, human rights and...

    “Philippines: On Persecuting Teachers and Weaponizing Education”, by Raymond D. Basilio.
  3. News 2019-12-02

    Increasing number of attacks on academic freedom across the world documented by Scholars at Risks report

    Reacting to the release of Scholars at Risk’s annual report documenting and analysing attacks on higher education communities around the world, Education International firmly denounces attacks on academic freedom and reiterates the need to counter the lack of funds, precarious employment conditions and the privatisation and commercialisation of higher education.

    Increasing number of attacks on academic freedom across the world documented by Scholars at Risks report
  4. Opinion 2019-11-27

    #RatifyC190 "Violence against women: a case study in the French public research", by Dina Bacalexi and Bruno Pouvelle.

    On 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Gender-based Violence - we called on governments to immediately ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. The Convention is the result of 10 years of mobilisation and activism by the global trade union...

    #RatifyC190 "Violence against women: a case study in the French public research", by Dina Bacalexi and Bruno Pouvelle.
  5. News 2019-11-25

    #RatifyC190: mobilising for a world of work free from violence and harassment

    On 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – global trade unions join forces and call on governments to ratify ILO Convention 190 and Recommendation 206 on violence and harassment in the world of work without delay.

    #RatifyC190: mobilising for a world of work free from violence and harassment
  6. Statements 2019-11-25

    Statement | It’s time to #RatifyC190

    This UN Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, trade unions are calling on governments to act swiftly to ratify ILO Convention 190.

    Statement | It’s time to #RatifyC190
  7. Opinion 2019-11-22

    #CRC30 “Ending corporal punishment in schools – a pathway to protecting the right to education”, by Baguma Filbert Bates.

    In Uganda, corporal punishment was declared unlawful in schools in March 2016 when the Children’s Act was amended and indeed since 2006, corporal punishment had been discouraged by Ministerial Guidelines. However, it remains a big challenge because in many schools, particularly in the remoter rural areas, it is a deeply...

    #CRC30 “Ending corporal punishment in schools – a pathway to protecting the right to education”, by Baguma Filbert Bates.
  8. News 2019-11-22

    Bolivia: global education union leaders firmly condemn the coup d’état

    Education International’s Executive Board has condemned the situation in Bolivia, stating that it “firmly and unanimously condemns on behalf of its 32 million members the coup d'état that took place last 11 November”.

    Bolivia: global education union leaders firmly condemn the coup d’état
  9. News 2019-11-22

    Chile: educators demand an end to the violence

    During its 55th meeting in Brussels on November 19-21, the Executive Board of Education International (EI) adopted a resolution condemning the violence against peaceful protestors in Chile and demanding respect for students, teachers and civil society.

    Chile: educators demand an end to the violence
  10. News 2019-11-20

    Colombia: National Strike for Life and Peace Unites Society

    On 21 November, trade unions and social organisations called for a major mobilisation in defence of life, peace, public education and the rights of teachers and the Colombian people.

    Colombia: National Strike for Life and Peace Unites Society
  11. News 2019-11-15

    Hong Kong: Educators stand with democracy defenders

    In the face of the on-going violence against protesters and democracy defenders in Hong Kong, Education International (EI) and its members are mobilising to show support for those who defend the values of democracy, justice and liberties.

    Hong Kong: Educators stand with democracy defenders
  12. News 2019-11-05

    How to secure and promote freedom of association? New ILO web application provides a guide for workers

    The new web application launched by the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) gives an overview of the principles and standards for freedom of association and explains ILO procedures and bodies that can help to secure and promote freedom of association across the world.

    How to secure and promote freedom of association? New ILO web application provides a guide for workers
  13. News 2019-10-31

    Zimbabwe: Time’s up- no more delays! Teachers’ unions submit petition on collective bargaining rights to Parliament

    On 24 October, two EI affiliates in Zimbabwe, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) submitted a petition to Parliament, calling on the government to grant full collective bargaining rights to public sector workers.

    Zimbabwe: Time’s up- no more delays! Teachers’ unions submit petition on collective bargaining rights to Parliament
  14. News 2019-10-30

    Iraq: educators join nationwide demonstration

    The Iraqi Teachers’ Union called for a four-day strike starting on 28 October in solidarity with demonstrators urging public authorities to provide jobs, quality public services and to put an end to a political system that has failed them.

    Iraq: educators join nationwide demonstration
  15. News 2019-10-30

    Trade union renewal, a global challenge

    Research on the current state of unions in the world, commissioned by the Bureau for Workers’ Activities on the occasion of the International Labour Organisation’s Centenary celebration, shows that trade unions have enormous challenges ahead of them.

    Trade union renewal, a global challenge