This papers starts by putting GATS into a general context of privatisation. It is noted that the privatisation process is in many cases complex and not only about full-scale privatisation of schools. The growing trade in education must be seen in this context. The purpose of GATS is to liberalise trade in services which also includes education. The protection given in GATS to public services, including public education, is ambiguous at best and in many cases open to interpretation by Trade Dispute Panels. The international trade union movement, including EI, has been critical of GATS and has raised a number of issues: 1) The broad scope of GATS; 2) Progressive liberalisation; 3) Power imbalances; 4) Lack of assessment;. 5) Irreversibility; and 6) Imperilled public services. The international trade union movement has made proposals for a GATS reform: 1) Better assessment; 2) Improved consultation process; 3) Incorporation of emergency safeguards; 4) Procedures to integrate core labour standards and environmental issues; 5) Strengthening the regulatory powers of governments; and 6) Excluding public sector. Also, there is a growing concern about GATS among national teacher unions. Many teacher unions have taken different initiatives: produced information material; established a dialogue with governments; and built broader coalitions with other trade unions, student organisations, etc.