"The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" and the human rights of workers to form or join trade unions and to bargain collectively

The ITUC together with Industriall Global Union, UNI Global Union and the Clean Clothes Campaign have issued a paper entitled “The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" and the human right of workers to form or join trade unions and to bargain collectively.

The paper notes that the right to join or form a trade union and the right to bargain collectively are established human rights falling within the scope of almost every business enterprise in almost every situation or context. The paper sets out what it means for a business enterprise to respect these human rights:

  • - Do nothing that would have the effect of discouraging workers from exercising their rights to form or join a trade union.
  • - Not refuse any genuine opportunity to bargain collectively
  • - Exercise due diligence in identifying and preventing anti-union policies and practices as well as mitigating the adverse impacts on the exercise of these rights by other business practices.

The paper has been submitted to the Working Group on human rights and transnational enterprises and other business enterprises for its consideration. This Working Group was established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 as follow- up to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Please download the UN Guiding Principles