Democracy and workers' rights around the world
The ITUC firmly believes that democracy and workers' rights are closely intertwined. Unfortunately, according to them, democracy is in crisis, not only in politically unstable countries but also in nations like Germany, the United Kingdom, and even South Korea, where recent worker demonstrations have shown the determination to defend their rights. Surprisingly, 87% of countries have violated the right to strike. Workers in Canada, Belgium, Spain and Togo have faced criminal prosecution and dismissal for exercising their right to strike. In South Korea, the powerful company Daewoo is taking legal action against the Korea Metal Worker's Union, claiming financial losses due to strikes and demanding 47 billion won (approximately 35.3 million USD).
The right to collective bargaining, having proper representation in front of employers, and respecting civil liberties are crucial workers' rights. Yet, 79% of countries have violated the right to collective bargaining, and 77% have obstructed workers from forming or joining trade unions. This also applies to expatriate and temporary workers. Even when a union is formed, there can be constraints at its registration time, as observed in 73% of countries, including Canada and Hong Kong.
The ITUC World Rights Index ranks countries based on their respect for workers' rights, with values ranging from 1 (countries with sporadic rights violations) to 5+ (countries where the state's collapse no longer guarantees any rights). While the study covered 139 countries in 2014, it currently includes 149.
What are the worst countries for workers?
The crisis has escalated since the pandemic, challenging the global economy and necessitating new arrangements. Surprisingly, rather than fostering cooperation, the ITUC observes that competition prevails between and within countries. The authors of the report emphasize the urgent need for awareness and action.
According to the ITUC, in 2023, the 10 worst countries for workers are Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Ecuador, Eswatini, Guatemala, Myanmar, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Turkey. These countries scored a 5, just behind the 5+ category that includes countries like Haiti, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria, which have experienced a complete state collapse. Ecuador and Tunisia are newcomers to this ranking. Workers in Ecuador face violent repression of democracy protests, while those in Tunisia experience a growing dominance of President Kaïs Saïed. Guinea-Bissau, also new to the ranking, receives a score of 4 (countries with systematic rights violations), joining Saudi Arabia, the United States, Greece, Qatar, Vietnam, and the UK, whose score has declined.
Countries with a score of 3 are those where rights violations occur regularly. Canada, South Africa, Jamaica, Morocco, Mozambique, and Belgium are among them. However, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Australia, and Chile have improved their scores. Countries like Ghana, Costa Rica, Latvia, Japan, Switzerland, the Dominican Republic, France, New Zealand, and Malawi receive a score of 2 (repeated rights violations). Only nine countries achieve the best score (1, with sporadic rights violations): Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.
Corporate responsibility in ensuring the protection of workers' rights
A book exposed France's practices in relation to Orpea, a company claiming to be a "global leader" in the dependency sector. The journalist Victor Castanet's 2022 book, "Les Fossoyeurs," revealed extreme cost-cutting practices by Orpea, which receives significant funding from the state. The investigation exposed the mistreatment of patients and violations of workers' rights. The ITUC also sheds light on other leading companies like Amazon, Starbucks (USA), Apple (Australia), Philip Morris (Turkey), Daewoo (South Korea), Deliveroo, Uber (Netherlands), Ikea (Poland), DPD (Switzerland), Telmex (Mexico), Ryanair (Spain), and Yamaha Motors (India) for their violations of workers' rights, involvement in such violations, or failure to address workers' rights violations.
The evolution of workers' rights over the past decade
Observations from the ITUC's study of 149 countries are a source of concern – all indicators show a decline in workers' rights. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in violations of the right to strike and collective bargaining. Violence against union representatives and members has escalated, as have restrictions on forming, affiliating, or registering unions.
Middle East and Africa
The situation is particularly critical for workers, with increasing rights violations over the past decade. The Middle East and North Africa remain the worst region for workers, with a score declining from 4.25 in 2014 to 4.53 in 2023. Sub-Saharan Africa fares slightly better (3.26 in 2014, 3.84 in 2023), but it also experiences setbacks. Recent coups, wars, and political disruptions exacerbate critical conditions for populations, with conflicts still affecting countries like Burundi, the Central African Republic, Somalia, and South Sudan. Coup d'états in Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Guinea, and Sudan have further limited workers' freedoms.
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region has also experienced a decline, with a score dropping from 4.05 in 2014 to 4.18 in 2023. Over the past decade, restrictions and violence against trade union actions have increased. Hong Kong remains tense, with growing pressure on pro-democracy activists. Independent unions and democracy advocates have been dissolved, and union leaders are chased and threatened. China is known for ongoing repression against Uighurs, Kazakhs, Turkic-speaking, and Muslim populations. The country is also criticized for violation of workers' rights, particularly in the garment industry. The Philippines, India, Pakistan, and Myanmar witness arbitrary arrests of workers and heightened pressure on trade union representatives, restricting workers' rights.
Europe
Even in Europe, known for its human rights and democracy, there has been a decline. The continent's score dropped from 1.84 in 2014 to 2.56 in 2023. Measures taken by governments to curtail the right to strike and demonstrate have contributed to this decline. The UK, for example, attempted to pass a law limiting the right to strike and protest, and the country faced accusations of anti-union practices and non-compliance with collective agreements.
France, the Netherlands, and Belgium experience increasing difficulty in dialogue between governments and trade union representatives. Governments now impose stricter restrictions on unions, avoiding necessary negotiations with union representatives. Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Belarus' autocratic political regimes hinder or prevent workers' rights expression altogether.
Americas
Unfortunately, no continent has been spared from increased constraints on workers. Over the past decade, the Americas' score also decreased, from 3.16 in 2014 to 3.52 in 2023. In these countries, violence against workers reached unprecedented levels, including the assassination of trade union representatives. This was evident in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru. Anti-union practices have also risen in these countries, as well as in the United States and Canada. Over the past ten years, there has been a surge in legislative attempts to prevent strikes.
Workers' rights: What's in for the future?
Looking ahead, what will the world be like in 10 years? The past decade has been marked by setbacks in areas essential for democracy. The right to strike is increasingly questioned, collective bargaining is eroding, worker protections are diminishing, and access to justice is in decline. Additionally, arbitrary detentions and imprisonments are on the rise. According to the ITUC, democracy is in crisis, with a "methodical dismantling of elements constituting freedom." The organization believes that awareness among states and radical changes can improve workers' conditions globally.
