International Trade Union Confederation

Attacks on basic rights around the world are eroding democracy and accountability, stoking division and populism and weakening the foundations of societies. The ITUC Global Rights Index tracks the weakening of workers’ rights and restrictions on civil liberties. Where fundamental international labour standards are under attack; living standards and working conditions suffer. The ITUC defends trade unionists whenever their labour and human rights are violated, campaigns for the universal respect of trade union rights as guaranteed by the Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and takes action against other violations of human rights.

The challenge

Respect for workers’ rights, civil liberties and human rights is in freefall around the world. Dictators act with impunity, while even in established democracies governments seek to undermine workers’ unions. At the ILO, employers try to weaken the supervisory system and standard-setting on issues important for working people, such as the right to strike, safe and healthy workplaces, and supply chains and due diligence. Across the world, many corporations enjoy impunity for rights violations, tax obligations, environmental destruction and carbon emissions. Their growing dominance over governments is at the root of the denial of workers’ rights.

The solution

The collective power of union organising and solidarity is the most potent counterforce against these trends, especially where governments fail to meet their primary obligation to respect labour rights and other human rights.

Workplace rights: Governments must end the race to the bottom on workers’ rights by respecting international labour standards and fulfilling their ILO obligations. We campaign particularly for the rights of freedom of association, collective bargaining and the right to strike, which enable working people to improve their standard of living. Safety committees involving management and unions must be established without exception to ensure that all workplaces are safe and healthy.

International labour standards: A strong and authoritative ILO, ensuring that international labour standards are ratified and respected, is central to the realisation of workers’ rights. The ILO has a vital role in supervising standards and the ITUC supports unions in using these standards and the ILO supervisory system. Governments must mandate due diligence in supply chains in line with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, with binding regulations to ensure that companies respect human and labour rights.

International solidarity: Freedom of speech and assembly and the right to protest must be defended as they are of central importance to trade unions and their capacity to defend workers’ rights. The ITUC will mobilise international trade union action in support of these rights and of workers in countries with autocratic and totalitarian regimes.