All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
The speed of political and social change in the Middle East and North Africa has astounded the international community.
A season of change in the Arab world
Eminent academic Diane Ravitch has delivered a stinging rebuke of Wisconsin's Governor, Scott Walker, and his efforts to reduce pay of teachers and public sector workers, while restricting their collective bargaining and union rights.
Historian of education defends teachers’ right to organise
The World Bank has expressed its concerns about rising food prices and the subsequent impact on those in the poorest countries.
Rising food prices push 44 million more people into extreme poverty
Georgia’s EI affiliate, the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union (ESFTUG), has responded to proposals for a new teachers’ certification process by calling on the Georgian Ministry of Education to engage with consultation.
Georgia: Unions demand consultation on teacher qualification
The Colombian teacher and trade unionist, Carlos Alberto Ayala, was shot dead on 5 February. The gunmen who murdered him had been laying in wait for him as he returned to his home in Puerto Asís.
Colombia: killing of teacher unionists must end
Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as the President of Egypt. In an announcement on state TV, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said Mr Mubarak has handed power to the military.
Education unions prepare for life after Mubarak
As Egypt operates under immense uncertainty following two weeks of deadly anti-government protests, trade unionists around the world are joining a Day of Action for Democracy on 8 February.
Day of action for democracy and civil rights in Egypt
EI has once again raised its concerns about the harassment and intimidation of Iranian teacher trade unionists by the national authorities.
Iran: Continuing harassment and detention of teachers condemned
EI has called for Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak to bring an immediate end to the violence being led by his regime against peaceful demonstrators who continue to demand fundamental rights and democratic change.
EI condemns “desperate tactics” as Egypt uprising turns violent
EI condemns the brutal murder of Colombian teacher trade unionist, Manuel Esteban Tejada, on 10 January. His assassination brings the death toll to 28 teacher unionists who have been killed in Colombia in the past year.
Colombia: Murder of teacher unionists continue into 2011
Teachers across Tunisia have gone on strike today, when many students intended to return to class, after weeks of mass protests that brought down the government of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Tunisia faces teacher strike, protests against new government
Tunisia’s government has imposed curfews in the capital and shut down all schools and universities indefinitely after violent protests, during which scores of people have been killed.
Tunisia: Schools and universities shut down as teachers join protests
On 18 December, International Migrants’ Day, EI is calling on governments to ratify the Migrant Workers’ Convention (UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families).
It’s time to ratify the Migrants Workers’ Convention
As teacher trade unionists around the world mark International Day for Human Rights on 10 December, EI salutes the bravery of teachers who strive to tackle the violation of peoples' basic rights to live with human dignity and respect.
Human Rights Day: EI gives voice to teacher union activists’ rights
EI will join the Global Unions at the G20 meetings, in Seoul, South Korea, to advocate for investment in education to remain high up the G20 recovery plan. EI will also call on the Korean government to respect trade union rights.
Global Unions give a voice to workers in the G20
EI has launched a new Urgent Action Appeal to call on the Government of Colombia to release Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas, a university professor and trade unionist who has been imprisoned.
Colombia: EI demands release of imprisoned professor
EI’s Executive Board has approved a resolution of solidarity with the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) and Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEOS).
Cyprus: Unions demand right to organise without recrimination
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU) has denounced the imminent dismissal of 134 public schools’ teachers and trade unionists by the end of October, violating South Korea Local Education Act.
EI calls for the respect of trade unions rights in South Korea