Union body warns of rising violations, weakened protections, and growing surveillance in workplaces worldwide.
Image:Reuters
A new report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) says workers’ rights are being increasingly violated across the world, including in countries with traditionally strong labour protections.
The ITUC’s 2026 global index covering 151 countries found that 72% deny workers access to justice, while about half reportedly saw arrests or detentions of workers last year.
The report said the right to strike was restricted in 87% of countries, while collective bargaining was limited in 80%.
ITUC Secretary-General Luc Triangle said the crisis is now affecting even established democracies, calling it a “deepening global erosion” of labour rights.
The United States and France were both highlighted, with the US placed on a watch list for “systemic violations” and France’s rating downgraded due to weakening protections.
Argentina and Panama were added to the list of 10 worst countries for workers’ rights, alongside Belarus, Egypt, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
The report also pointed to increased digital surveillance of workers and reduced consultation with labour organisations in policy-making.
It warned that governments are increasingly failing to protect workers and, in some cases, actively undermining labour rights.
