Workers’ rights worldwide are facing an unprecedented crisis, according to the latest findings from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The 2025 Global Rights Index, released at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, reveals a steep decline in labour protections amid growing authoritarianism, conflict, and corporate pressure. This trend threatens decades of progress built on democratic values and workers’ protections.
The ITUC’s report, which assesses 151 countries against 97 indicators aligned with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards, paints a grim picture. Only seven countries maintain the highest standards for respecting workers’ rights — a sharp fall from previous years. Meanwhile, 39 countries have plummeted into the index’s worst category, labelled “no guarantee of rights,” characterized by severe repression and denial of basic freedoms to workers.
General Secretary Luc Triangle expressed deep concern over the findings, stating, “Workers are under siege around the world. This year’s Index exposes the betrayal of the post-WWII system built on democracy, justice, and trade union rights.” The ITUC warns that if the current trajectory persists, no country may meet the highest rating within a decade, signaling a global crisis for labour rights.
The report identifies 12 countries—including Afghanistan, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, and Yemen—that have received the lowest possible rating of 5+. This rating indicates a total breakdown of rule of law due to violent conflict, resulting in extreme repression and insecurity for workers. In these nations, workers face not only restrictions on their rights but also violence, arbitrary arrests, and collapse of legal protections.
This widespread deterioration affects millions of workers, who are increasingly unable to form or join trade unions. The ITUC highlights that 75% of countries now deny workers the right to unionize, while 74% impose bureaucratic obstacles on union registration. Freedom of speech and assembly face similar crackdowns, with 45% of countries restricting these fundamental rights. Furthermore, the report documents 71 countries where workers have been arrested or detained, and 40 where violence against workers has been reported.
Europe and the Americas recorded their worst performances since the Index was launched in 2014. Several countries, including Italy, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Georgia, Niger, and Mauritania, have seen their labour rights ratings decline, signaling rising challenges even in traditionally stable democracies.
Conversely, a few nations recorded improvements: Australia improved to a rating of 2, while Mexico and Oman moved up to 3. Despite these exceptions, the overall trend remains negative, underscoring a global rollback of worker protections.
At the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva, the ITUC is pressing governments and international bodies to take decisive action. Key demands include:
Strengthening enforcement of international labour standards
Formalising informal work to extend protections to vulnerable workers
Enhancing safeguards in the growing platform economy
Implementing global measures to mitigate biological hazards in workplaces
The conference’s Committee on the Application of Standards will use the Index’s findings to guide discussions aimed at reversing the decline in workers’ rights.
Luc Triangle emphasized the urgent need for change, saying, “We must rebuild economies that serve people, not corporations. Strong, independent unions and accountable international institutions are essential to protect workers.” He vowed that the global labour movement will continue fighting for progress: “Next year’s index must reflect real improvement. The time for action is now.”
For countries like Nigeria, where labour rights enforcement remains inconsistent, the ITUC’s report serves as a critical reminder of the need for stronger protections and institutional reforms. The government’s recent moves, such as mandating employees’ compensation schemes and addressing informal sector challenges, align with the global calls for better worker protections.
As global economic and political pressures mount, the erosion of workers’ rights threatens to exacerbate inequality, undermine social stability, and weaken democratic institutions worldwide.
The 2025 Global Rights Index serves as a wake-up call to governments, businesses, and civil society worldwide. Protecting workers’ rights is fundamental to achieving fair, just, and sustainable economies. With the clock ticking, coordinated global efforts are urgently needed to defend the rights of millions of workers facing repression and injustice.