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 28 September 2023

    Tanzania: EI requests the Government to stop meddling in the internal affairs of the Tanzania Teachers Union

    Education International is concerned by the disruption of legitimate union activities and meetings of the Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU) by the police, including a TTU Council meeting on 25 September. The intimidation and intervention in the internal affairs of the union by government authorities is a serious violation of international...

    Tanzania: EI requests the Government to stop meddling in the internal affairs of the Tanzania Teachers Union
  2. News 27 September 2023

    African educators demand increased funding for education and express solidarity with colleagues in crisis

    Education unions in Africa demand increased funding for public education systems and teachers, as they prepare the upcoming regional conference, and show full solidarity with teachers and education support personnel across the continent. These are the key messages conveyed by the Education International Africa Regional Committee (EIARC) during its 20...

    African educators demand increased funding for education and express solidarity with colleagues in crisis
  3. News 14 September 2023

    Iran: Education International demands an end to all violations of human and trade union rights!

    This September 16th, 2023 marks one year since the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini at the hands of police in Iran. Her death sparked widespread protests across Iran and gave rise to the Woman Life Freedom movement. Since then, the repressive state apparatus has worked to silence all dissent, increasing...

    Iran: Education International demands an end to all violations of human and trade union rights!
  4. News 14 September 2023

    Education trade unions and Indigenous Peoples: A firm commitment in Latin America

    Teacher trade unionists from various Indigenous Peoples, members of organisations affiliated to Education International Latin America (EILA), gathered in Panama City on 4, 5 and 6 September for the 10th Regional Meeting on Public Education and Indigenous Peoples. The event marks the continuation of a process initiated in 2009 in...

    Education trade unions and Indigenous Peoples: A firm commitment in Latin America
  5. Take action! 13 September 2023

    Iran: Release teacher union leaders voicing legitimate workers’ demands!

    Education International (EI) calls on its member organisations to urge the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately and unconditionally release jailed Iranian teacher unionists and to respect trade union rights.

    Iran: Release teacher union leaders voicing legitimate workers’ demands!
  6. Statements 1 September 2023

    A cry for justice: Solidarity with teachers in South Korea

    Education International extends its unwavering support to the teachers in South Korea who in increasing numbers have been demonstrating every Saturday united under the common cause of public education. Education International stands in solidarity and denounces any and all attempts by the government to deny their rights.

    A cry for justice: Solidarity with teachers in South Korea
  7. News 10 August 2023

    UK: Raising the status and living conditions of Education Support Personnel

    Education International (EI) welcomes success achieved by the National Education Union, an EI member organisation in the UK, getting increased funding for schools to ensure that the pay awards are adequately funded and prevent the need for staffing cuts.

    UK: Raising the status and living conditions of Education Support Personnel
  8. News 17 July 2023

    Tunisia: the government must respect the trade union rights of primary school teachers

    In a letter of protest dated 13 July 2023 addressed to Tunisian Education Minister Ali Mohamed Al Boughdiri, Education International (EI) condemned the salary penalties imposed on teacher trade unionists calling for better funding of education in their country.

    Tunisia: the government must respect the trade union rights of primary school teachers
  9. News 17 July 2023

    Education International’s Executive Board: World Congress, 30 years of mobilising, artificial intelligence in education, addressing the global teacher shortage

    The Education International Executive Board met online on July 6 and July 14. EI’s 9th World Congress held online on July 11 to 13, as well as the organisation’s strategy on the use of artificial intelligence in education, and the launch of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession...

    Education International’s Executive Board: World Congress, 30 years of mobilising, artificial intelligence in education, addressing the global teacher shortage
  10. News 14 July 2023

    Record high level of workers’ rights violations in 2023, Global Rights Index reports

    Nine out of 10 countries violated the right to strike in 2023. 77% of countries excluded workers from establishing or joining trade unions. The 2023 Global Rights Index, launched on 30 June 2023, highlights the injustices faced by workers globally and the status of the countries with the highest violations...

    Record high level of workers’ rights violations in 2023, Global Rights Index reports
  11. News 19 June 2023

    Uganda: Education International condemns the horrific attack on Lhubiriha Secondary school

    Education International, the global federation of educators, strongly condemns the horrific attack on Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe, Uganda and mourns in solidarity with the families and communities impacted by this devastating act of violence.

    Uganda: Education International condemns the horrific attack on Lhubiriha Secondary school
  12. News 8 June 2023

    The voice of teachers rings out at the 111th International Labour Conference

    Education International (EI) is the voice of teachers and education support personnel worldwide. As such, EI advocates for quality education for all, social justice, democracy, and professional rights and freedoms. From 5 to 16 June 2023, an Education International delegation is in Geneva to represent teachers everywhere at the 111th...

    The voice of teachers rings out at the 111th International Labour Conference
  13. News 8 June 2023

    Morocco: Trade unions focus on raising the status of teachers and reforming the education system

    The SNE-CDT (Syndicat National de l’Enseignement-Confédération Démocratique du Travail) has been negotiating for several years with the government to improve the living and working conditions of Moroccan education staff, and to secure a comprehensive reform of the country’s education system, to put an end to the ongoing inequalities in the...

    Morocco: Trade unions focus on raising the status of teachers and reforming the education system
  14. News 2 June 2023

    Korean teachers’ call for quality education, trade union rights, and democracy met with intimidation

    On May 20th, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) held its National Teacher's Congress at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul. The congress celebrated the 34th anniversary of the KTU and challenged the Yoon Seokyeol administration's regressive education policies. The government responded with a search and seizure at the union’s...

    Korean teachers’ call for quality education, trade union rights, and democracy met with intimidation
  15. Statements 17 May 2023

    IDAHOBIT 2023: Everyone belongs in our unions!

    On May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Education International (EI) renews its commitment to human rights, respect, social justice, dignity for all, and solidarity.

    IDAHOBIT 2023: Everyone belongs in our unions!
  16. Publications

    Poised for the Future: Transformative Teaching for Global Engagement, Sustainability, and Digital Access

    A Briefing by Education International for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2023
    10 May 2023

    The 13th edition of the International Summit on the Teaching Profession brought together 22 countries to discuss how to strengthen the teaching profession and ensure all students have access to a quality education.

    Poised for the Future: Transformative Teaching for Global Engagement, Sustainability, and Digital Access
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