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. 26 October 2005

    HIV/AIDS: Global Unions aim for G8 Action

    Global trade union bodies last Friday adopted a plan of action to press for greater government action on HIV/AIDS, including a strategy to make leaders of G8 countries live up to promises made at last July's Gleneagles Summit in the United Kingdom.

    HIV/AIDS: Global Unions aim for G8 Action
  2. 31 August 2005

    14-16 September at the UN: Will the MDGs fall by the wayside?

    Five years ago, one of the greatest summits in history brought together national leaders at the United Nations. They approved an agenda for building a better world – the Eight Millennium Development Goals – including Education for All – to be achieved in all nations by the year 2015. [see...

    14-16 September at the UN: Will the MDGs fall by the wayside?
  3. 24 March 2005

    Kenya: Time Now for Universal Secondary Schooling?

    A recent statement by the Kenyan government that many students who graduated from primary school last year will not find places in the country's secondary schools has generated widespread concern.

    Kenya: Time Now for Universal Secondary Schooling?