Workers’ rights are the rules that protect people who work for a living. These rights include things like the right to join a union, to strike, and to have a safe workplace. Unfortunately, these rights are getting weaker everywhere, and the situation looks very serious.
A recent report called the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index shows that workers’ rights are in free fall. This means that many countries are doing a worse job protecting workers than they did in the past. The report looked at 151 countries and found that only seven of them have the best rating for respecting workers’ rights. Ten years ago, 18 countries had this top rating, so the number has almost been cut in half.
The report also shows that workers face many problems. For example, 87% of countries violate the right to strike, and 80% violate the right to negotiate with their bosses. Many workers are not allowed to join or create unions, which makes it harder for them to stand up for their rights. In fact, 75% of countries do not allow workers to freely form or join unions.
Workers are also being hurt in many ways. In some countries, trade union leaders and workers are being arrested or attacked. In five countries—South Africa, Cameroon, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru—trade unionists were killed in 2025. Workers also experience violence and are detained simply for speaking up or protesting.
The situation is worst in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, where workers face the most violations. Many countries are so unstable because of conflict and war that workers’ rights are almost non-existent.
The report warns that if this trend continues, no country will have the highest level of workers’ rights within the next ten years. This is a serious problem because workers are the backbone of every economy. When their rights are taken away, it affects everyone, not just workers.
Some countries are still making progress. For example, Australia and Mexico have improved their workers’ rights through new laws. But most countries are going in the wrong direction.
Leaders and organizations around the world are calling for change. They want governments to respect workers’ rights, protect trade union leaders, and allow workers to speak up without fear. If we work together, we can stop this decline and rebuild a fairer world where workers are treated with respect and fairness.
Workers’ rights are rapidly getting weaker worldwide, it’s important for everyone to support efforts to protect and strengthen these rights.
Read more: Global Rights Index – International Trade Union Confederation
