Equal Times’ Post

🚨 The 2024 Global Rights Index, recently published by the International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC, paints a global picture in which hard-won democratic rights and civil liberties of #workers are increasingly restricted. Key findings for 2024 include: ❗ Almost 9 out of 10 countries worldwide violated the right to strike, while about 8 in 10 countries denied workers the right to bargain collectively for better terms and conditions ❗ 49% of countries arbitrarily arrested or detained trade union members, up from 46% in 2023 ❗ More than 4 in 10 countries denied or constrained freedom of speech or assembly 💡 The ITUC Global Rights Index is a comprehensive review of workers’ rights in law ranking 151 countries against a list of 97 indicators derived from #ILO Conventions and jurisprudence. It rates countries on a scale from 1 to 5+ based on the degree of respect for workers’ rights. ➡ To know more, have a look at the Global Rights Index 2024 here: https://lnkd.in/euWnUTGK

Labor rights are human rights. The International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC 11th Global Rights Index was established to assess how countries and companies respect and uphold the rights of workers according to international law and multilateral agreements. As a comprehensive review of workers’ rights in law in 151 countries, the Index is the only database of its kind, where violations and ratings can be viewed by country and region. In today's 2024 edition, every region’s rating is below its original 2014 score. 🔺 The right to free speech and assembly was restricted in 43% of countries, up from 42% in 2023 🔺 74% of countries impeded the registration of trade unions, up from 73% in 2023 🔺 Workers were detained or arrested in 74 countries, up from 69 in 2023 🔸 The right to strike was violated in 87% of countries, unchanged from 2023 🔻 In 75% of countries, workers were denied the right to establish or join a trade union, a small improvement from 2023 when 77% of countries excluded workers from this fundamental right. 🔸 79% of countries violated the right to collective bargaining, unchanged from 2023 🔸 Workers had no or restricted access to justice in 65% of countries, unchanged from 2023 Since #modernslavery is often framed as being at the extreme end on a continuum of labour rights violations and our anti-slavery efforts are about risks to people who labour, perhaps, this Index is worth a look. Luc Triangle Alison Rahill Laura Ianello Giassetti Aguiar Kate Hopper Dante Pesce-Gonzalez Sharan Burrow Robert Tonkli Thomas Costa Benjamin Smith Acting Secretary Julie Su Fiona David Anthony Forsyth Dr Sarah Kaine Lucy Taksa Jo-anne Schofield Migrant Workers Centre Shelley Marshall Chris Caskey Surya Deva Phil Robertson Jacqueline Joudo Larsen Alexander W. Gregor Frowein Aditi Wanchoo Laura Murphy Cindy Berman Nurul Qoiriah

https://lnkd.in/emDKbMrY clip workers’ rights LUC TRIANGLE 12th June 2024 Workers’ rights, fundamental to democracy, are under attack across the world—nowhere more so than in Europe. Riot police using tear gas to disperse protesters in Paris on May Day last year, amid the trade-union demonstrations against pension reforms (Alexandros Michailidis / shutterstock.com) The 2024 International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index, published today, shows that working people across Europe have seen their basic, democratic workplace rights crumble at a faster pace than in any other region of the world. Europe has often been held up as a positive example for the rest of the world to follow when it comes to workers’ rights but that is no longer the case. The ‘European social model’ is eroding rapidly, as we witness a concerted attack on workers’ rights and the trade-union movement.

Trade union solidarity is a critical aspect of workers' rights, as it involves unity and mutual support among trade unions to achieve common goals and protect workers' interests. Here are some key points on why it is important: 1. **Collective Bargaining Power**: Solidarity among trade unions enhances their ability to negotiate better wages, working conditions, and benefits for workers. A united front is more powerful than individual unions negotiating separately. 2. **Protection Against Exploitation**: Solidarity helps protect workers from unfair practices and exploitation by employers. United unions can resist attempts to undermine workers' rights and ensure that labor laws are enforced. 3. **Support During Strikes and Protests**: During strikes or protests, solidarity provides essential support. Unions can share resources, offer financial aid, and provide moral support to maintain the momentum and achieve their objectives. 4. **Political Influence**: Unified trade unions have a stronger political voice, enabling them to advocate for policies that favor workers' rights at local, national, and international levels. 5. **Global Solidarity**: In a globalized economy, workers face similar challenges worldwide. International solidarity among trade unions helps address issues like unfair labor practices, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation in multinational corporations. 6. **Education and Training**: Solidarity facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources among unions, leading to better education and training for workers on their rights and how to effectively advocate for them. 7. **Social Justice**: Beyond workplace issues, trade union solidarity can contribute to broader social justice movements, supporting causes like gender equality, racial equality, and environmental sustainability. Trade union solidarity remains a powerful tool in the fight for workers' rights, promoting fairness, equity, and justice in the workplace and beyond. #trade Union #Labour #Workers #ITUC #bangladesh

Keep out the far right: trade union leaders from across Europe are warning against letting in the anti-worker far right. As negotiations advance for the formation of the leadership of the EU institutions (European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament), the European trade union movement is calling on all democratic forces to reject any cooperation with any part of the far right. The far right consistently and dishonestly claims to support working people when, in reality, it attacks their trade unions and their democratic rights, dismantling human rights and women’s rights in particular. Giving workers a say in the world of work is a cornerstone of any democratic society and an antidote to far-right and anti-worker populism. More information: https://lnkd.in/gfPBVhAF

🚧The rights of workers, and the organisations and people that champion them, are in decline—with knock-on effects for other human rights and even democracy. The International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC sounds the alarm that “policymakers and business leaders are actively restricting workers’ rights to collectively demand fairer wages or to legally exercise their right to strike.” 🌏 There are no “safe countries” for workers’ rights. Between 2014 and 2024, every region in the world declined in the ITUC Global Rights Index, some significantly. In 2024, 13 countries saw their ratings decline from last year and only 2 countries improved their ratings. 🛑 Trade unions and labour activists, which play a fundamental role in ensuring workers’ rights, are under direct attack. 22 people were killed while defending workers’ rights between 2023-2024, and scores more were arrested and prosecuted with limited access to justice. 🔊Companies, this is your wake-up call. It is not enough to sit back and imagine that these problems are taking place outside the four walls of your business. Conducting robust HRDD that prioritises worker perspectives is a must, as is engaging with suppliers, business partners, civil society and even your internal peers on difficult conversations around the rights to collectively bargain and to form trade unions. And creating mechanisms for meaningful worker voice and using leverage with others to move the needle can help reshape the landscape for workers’ rights. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e5rdRpqJ #rightsatwork #humanrights 

This coming Friday, use your vote for workers’ rights:  Ireland is one of the richest countries in the EU, with the largest number of low-paid workers, use your vote to seek the support from candidates to the 34th Dail that they commit to legislate for the statutory right of trade unions to represent their members through the process of collective bargaining in compliance with Ireland's membership of the European Union Treaties. In particular 1)      EU Directive 2022/2041, Article 28, provides for the right of workers to negotiate and conclude collective agreements at the appropriate level, is to be transposed into Irish law on 14th November 2024. require the Irish State to achieve collective bargaining as a right for up to 80% of workers. Ireland has the lowest level of collective bargaining in the EU at less than 30%. 2)      Irish Employers have unilaterally interpreted our voluntaristic system of industrial relations as a right to VETO workers' rights to collective bargaining contrary to Irelands' obligations as signatories to the following: 3)      The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Human Rights (Article 27) 4)      Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Labour Organisation (ILO) on workers' rights to organise and engage in collective bargaining. 5)      Judgement by ECtHR on the right to form and join a union (Demir and Baykara V Turkey 34503/97 2008). Judgement by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: 6)      'The right to form unions would be of little benefit if the activities of the union and its members were to be regarded presumptively unlawful.      And ·      Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality (2021), (Recommendation for collective bargaining) ·      Working in Ireland Survey (WIIS) 2021, UCD & NERI [two-thirds of young workers would vote to establish a union] ·      Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, 'Report on Collective Bargaining and the Irish Constitution' (2023), Right to collective bargaining. ·      Trade Union Access to Workers, Barriers faced by representatives in Ireland (2024) ·      Union Busting, An inconvenient truth (2024) Respect at Work. The Irish State is a laggard within the EU in failing to give trade unions a positive legal right to engage in collective bargaining on behalf of their members. It is time for the Dail to end the Employer VETO  by legislating for a positive right to collective bargaining.              

The Labour Institutions and Movements Workers’ rights are some of the most violated rights. If you believe I’m exaggerating… think back to every time your rights in the workplace were either not explained to you or violated now consider every worker in the world. https://lnkd.in/e2GSNbWg This tells you how important a strong labour movement is for workers here and around the world. Many know of the work we do defending our workers’ rights but as a movement we have a responsibility to contribute to the larger labour movements and beyond. Five of the biggest challenges to the labour movement and the challenges faced by union’s today. 1) Income Inequality We are seeing the emergence of trillionaires’ while economically we are as individuals and families weathering inflation. The gap is getting bigger, not smaller. Workers are being squeezed and exploited for our labour as a disposable resource and when companies cannot to it here they do it in places where the laws favour their continued misuse of workers. 2) The Global Rise of Authoritarianism Authoritarianism a way of governing that values order and control over personal freedom. ( 27% )Twenty-seven percent of Canadians support authoritarian governments. This is frightening and I never expected to see this in my lifetime. https://lnkd.in/eNZKRm_4 3) The Climate Crisis From the wildfires, floods and never been seen wheather that impacts homes and workplaces, with insurance companies simply walking away leaving individuals with the costs are putting additional pressures on people. 4) Emboldened White Supremacists My Great-Grandfather and others in my family fought the Nazis during the Second World War only for me to see them given a new platform after the world collectively said never again. I am so glad my Ancestors aren’t here to witness it. But don’t mislead yourself to believe they ever left they simply went to wearing sheets and suits while knowing not to openly voice there hateful words. Now once again they have no need to hide. 5) Gender Policing Many of the gains hard fought for our members that were institutionalized in the workplaces are being systematically dismantled setting us back decades for women and 2SLGBTQ rights. Labour movement organization sometimes becomes mirrors of the institutions we vow to protect our members from. We need to remain firmly grounded in the movement while using our organizational power to fight these very issues that impact all works including those we fight to protect.

📢 I’m pleased to share the September edition of the European Employment Insights newsletter, which is the result of a collaborative effort by many of my colleagues. This issue provides updates on employment laws, regulations, and collective agreements from 21 European countries. It also takes a closer look at current discussions on minimum wage increases and gender parity in the leadership and management structures of business associations, listed companies, and trade unions. https://docdro.id/x2SFNvH We’re also introducing a new section: the European Partner Spotlight. In this edition, Germán Martínez Ferrando, Partner at Andersen in Spain, shares insights on Navigating Employment Contracts after Labor Reform in Spain. Shirli Gorenca Marlene Wachter Igor Letica Ivan Matić Michal Dobias Benoit Dehaene Cord Vernunft Kathrin Pietras Uberto Percivalle Vilius Maciulaitis Monika Sipavičiūtė Luana Cuschieri Kristine N. Slotnæs Maciej Pietrzycki José Mota Soares Jakub Kováčik Maja Skorupan Clara Marín Hernández Johan Karlman Natalie Stjernström #EuropeanEmploymentInsights #EmploymentandLaborLaw #Employment #AndersenEurope #AndersenEmploymentandLaborLaw #Newsletter

This Index is one of the best sources of evidence to use in human rights due diligence assessments - where workers do not have the ability to exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, they are more likely to be subjected to exploitation and abuse. Thanks for your post Jenny Stanger