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 18 January 2006

    Cambodia: Rong Chhun released on bail – charges remain

    CITA have informed EI that Rong Chhun, their president who was arrested on October 15, was released on bail yesterday. Chhun’s release on bail follows a campaign of intense pressure by the international trade union movement, including the ICFTU, Education International and a number of its affiliates.

    Cambodia: Rong Chhun released on bail – charges remain
  2. News 18 January 2006

    Kenya: KNUT resists budget cuts

    EI affiliate the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has vowed to resist any attempts by the Minister for Finance to slash the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education.

    Kenya: KNUT resists budget cuts
  3. News 9 January 2006

    Cambodia: The UN defends trade union rights

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement on 4 January deploring the "series of defamation, incitement and disinformation law suits and arrests of members of civil society, trade unions, media and the Sam Rainsy opposition party in the course of last year."

    Cambodia: The UN defends trade union rights
  4. News 6 January 2006

    Bulgaria: Hunger Strike ends, unions remain on strike alert until demands are met

    Bulgarian teachers stopped their hunger strike in December, though EI affiliates SEB and Podkrepa have refused to sign a wage agreement offered by the government and will remain on strike alert when term commences on 10 th January.

    Bulgaria: Hunger Strike ends, unions remain on strike alert until demands are met
  5. News 22 December 2005

    Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update

    Fifteen separate charges, including conspiracy, armed insurrection, attempting to subvert the constitution, high treason and genocide, were presented in court by prosecutors on 16 December against the 131 government opponents and critics detained by Ethiopian authorities.

    Ethiopia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
  6. News 21 December 2005

    Cambodia: Urgent Action Appeal Update

    Education International is continuing to exert pressure on the government of Cambodia to request the immediate release of Mr. Rong Chhun, President of CITA, and the withdrawal of arrest warrants against three other democratic leaders.

    Cambodia: Urgent Action Appeal Update
  7. News 20 December 2005

    Bulgaria: Teachers are soon entering their second month of strike

    Bulgarian teachers organised by EI affiliates SEB and PODKREPA started their strike for better working conditions on 25 November. On 18 December, the president of SEB, Janka Takeva, addressed an open letter to the representative of the International Monetary Fund who took part in a meeting with the Bulgarian Ministry...

    Bulgaria: Teachers are soon entering their second month of strike
  8. News 16 December 2005

    Guatemala: Urgent Action Appeal update

    EI issued a letter to its Latin American colleagues on 8 December, urging them to step up their solidarity with Guatemalan affiliate, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación (STEG).

    Guatemala: Urgent Action Appeal update
  9. News 14 December 2005

    Georgia: In Solidarity with ESFTUG

    EI affiliate in Georgia, the the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia (ESFTUG) is organising a demonstration on 14 December to request the Parliament of Georgia to increase the funding of education during the budget discussion.

    Georgia: In Solidarity with ESFTUG
  10. News 12 December 2005

    UK: Teachers' warning over extremists

    Government plans for school reform could open the door to religious extremists, teachers are warning.

    UK: Teachers' warning over extremists
  11. News 9 December 2005

    EI Europe declares its support for Romanian teachers

    The European Region of Education International, which represents 143 teacher organisations in 44 European countries, passed a resolution in its meeting in Luxemburg from 6-7 Dec, declaring its support for Romanian teachers.

    EI Europe declares its support for Romanian teachers
  12. News 8 December 2005

    Global Unions produces report on successful trade union campaigns

    Together with Bureau for Workers' Activities at the International Labour Organisation (ILO ACTRAV) and the Global Union Research Network (GURN), the Global Unions have produced a report on successful cases of trade union resistance and the development of alternatives to the policies of the International Financial Institutions (IFI).

    Global Unions produces report on successful trade union campaigns
  13. News 6 December 2005

    EI Statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on 10 Dec 2005

    "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance...

    EI Statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on 10 Dec 2005
  14. News 5 December 2005

    Ireland: Teacher Unions Show Solidarity with Ferry Workers

    Members of EI affiliates the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) will attend demonstrations on 9th December in support of Irish Ferry Workers.

    Ireland: Teacher Unions Show Solidarity with Ferry Workers