A new report from the International Trade Union Confederation concludes that the world is seeing shrinking democratic space for working people and unchecked corporate greed on the rise. The 2018 ITUC Global Rights Index documents violations of internationally recognized collective labor rights by governments and employers.
Here are some of the key findings from this year's report:
- 54 countries deny or constrain freedom of speech, up from 50 last year.
- More than 80% of countries have violated the right to collective bargaining.
- The 10 worst countries for working people are: Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
- In 65 countries, workers were exposed to physical violence, death threats and intimidation, up from 59 last year.
- Trade unionists were murdered in nine countries.
- 59 countries arbitrarily arrested and detained workers, up from 44 last year.
- The right to strike has been violated by 87% of countries.
- 65% of countries do not allow workers to exercise the right to establish or join a trade union, up from 60% last year.
- Again this year, the United States remains in the "systematic violations of rights" category.
Read the full report to learn more.