Decline of Labor Rights: Unions Encounter Unprecedented Assaults, Alarming Report Alerts
Unraveling the Global Crisis: A Shocking Decline in Workers' Rights
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has sounded the alarm with its annual rights index, revealing a "profound deterioration" in workers' rights worldwide. The report, published on Monday, covers 151 countries and paints a disheartening picture, particularly for Europe and the Americas where the situation is worse than ever since the index was launched in 2014.
According to the ITUC, 87 percent of countries are violating the right to strike, and 80 percent are actively undermining the right to collective bargaining. This sad reality is exemplified in France, where "nearly four in every 10 collective agreements were imposed unilaterally by employers, without union representation." Moreover, a intriguing pattern of "persecution" against union leaders has been noted, particularly in France where over a thousand leaders face criminal charges and disciplinary measures due to their activism against pension reforms.
A close examination reveals that Europe experienced the sharpest decline of any region over the last decade. The ITUC awards each country a score between one (best) and five (worst) based on factors such as the right to strike, demonstrate, and participate in negotiations. Only seven countries, including Germany, Sweden, and Norway, receive the maximum score, down from 18 a decade ago. Notably, Italy and Argentina saw their scores plummet in 2025.
Tragically, trade unionists or workers were killed in five countries in 2025, including South Africa, Cameroon, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru. Nigeria unfortunately made its debut on the list of the 10 worst countries for workers' rights. On the brighter side, reforms strengthened trade union rights in Australia, and labor law changes in Mexico improved workers' access to justice.
The ITUC's findings paint a grim picture of global assault on workers' rights, with Europe and the Americas at the epicenter. This grim trend appears to be the result of a concerted effort by state authorities and corporate interests to undermine labor protections and democratic values, undermining the centuries-old struggle for workers' rights and equality.
(with AFP)
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(Source: ITUC Global Rights Index 2025)
(Insights: Violations of workers' rights are escalating globally, with 87% of countries violating the right to strike and 80% restricting collective bargaining. Europe has experienced the sharpest decline. Persecution against union leaders has been noted, with France being one of the worst offenders. Transitioning to a future where all workers have equal rights and protections seems increasingly challenging.)
- The International Trade Union Confederation's (ITUC) revelation about a deterioration in international justice, particularly in the realm of workers' rights, has been highlighted in general-news reports worldwide.
- In France, the alarming situation of workers' rights has been exacerbated by the persecution of union leaders and the increasing violation of collective bargaining rights, as indicated by the ITUC Global Rights Index 2025.
- Despite the dismal situations in Europe and the Americas, Africa has also featured prominently in the ITUC's report, with countries like South Africa and Nigeria being among the 10 worst for workers' rights, underscoring the urgent need for political intervention on the continent.
