Global Worker Rights

We live and work in a global economy. As corporations spread their reach, and industries and sectors become increasingly linked, our fate as working people in the United States is bound up with the fate of working people across the world. Our brothers and sisters in other countries face many of the same challenges: a lack of fundamental labor rights, precarious work, poverty, income inequality and a push by business interests to drive down wages and working conditions.

The AFL-CIO believes that confronting these challenges requires building power for people around the world. We cultivate strong partnerships with unions and labor rights movements in other countries and develop joint strategies to improve protections for all working people, including multinational organizing campaigns and an economic agenda on trade, tax and development that puts human rights before private profit.

Working people share a common struggle that transcends borders, and it is only by acknowledging our shared humanity and working together that we can ensure fair and equitable treatment at home and throughout the world.

The Global Labor Movement's Response in the Face of the COVID-19 Crisis

Did You Know

More than 1,800 factories were inspected under the binding Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety.
107

The number of countries which exclude workers from the right to establish or join a union.
Did You Know

The International Labour Organization approved a binding Convention that ensures all workers have meaningful protection from violence and harassment in the world of work.
207 million

The number of workers represented by the International Trade Union Confederation.

What We’re Doing

Media Hit

A Resilient Global Economy Is Within Reach (Barrons)

Speech

Redmond: We Need a New Global Social Contract with Workers at the Center

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond's opening remarks for the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas Executive Committee Meeting.
Speech

Redmond to GLU: Racial Justice Is Economic Justice

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond's opening remarks virtually as prepared to a Global Labor University Conference discussion on racial justice and the American labor movement:
Media Hit

AFL-CIO's Cathy Feingold on U.S., British Strengthening Trade Ties

Speech

Redmond: Organizing Is Key to Reversing Decades of Austerity

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond's opening remarks to a Trade Union Confederation's panel on unions organizing around the world.
Speech

Shuler at COP26: We Cannot Leave Workers Behind

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler's remarks at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).