ITUC GLOBAL RIGHTS INDEX

PART I //
MOST VIOLATED
RIGHTS
Large-scale exclusion of workers
All workers without distinction have the right to freedom of association. However,
82 out of 141 countries exclude certain types of workers from this right. Exclusion
can be linked to the employment status of workers thus leaving precarious and
informal workers outside the scope of the labour. This has a devastating impact
for workers in countries where this type of work is increasing. For example, in
sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of the labour force is in the informal economy. It
is estimated that as many as nine in ten rural and urban workers have informal
jobs. In 96 out of 141 countries, several categories of workers are excluded from
the right to strike.
The right to collective bargaining
Good faith collective bargaining is essential for improving the living and working
conditions of workers and establish mature industrial relations. Yet, employers
and governments have completely refused to bargain with representative
trade unions or delayed negotiations to such an extent that they become almost
meaningless in at least 89 out of 141 countries.
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