Global Workforce Alarm as Worker Rights Violations Surge in 72% of Countries
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Global worker rights violations are increasing amid rising global uncertainties.
The ‘suppression’ of workers’ rights is deepening, even in ‘stable’ countries such as France and the United States (US), according to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the world’s largest trade union organisation, on Monday (1 June 2026).
The ITUC reported that 72% of the 151 surveyed countries deny workers access to justice, with authorities in around 50% of nations arresting or detaining workers last year.
‘The crisis of workers’ rights is no longer confined to the periphery but is at the heart of democracy,’ said ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle in a statement, cited by AFP.
The index found that the right to strike is violated in 87% of countries, while collective bargaining rights are restricted in 80%.
The US is listed in the ITUC’s monitoring list with the fourth-highest ranking for ‘systemic rights violations’, while France’s ranking dropped to third from second, despite its historically strong trade union presence.
Argentina and Panama have been added to the top 10 worst countries for workers’ rights, joining Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Turkey.
‘Europe and the US have recorded their worst average rankings since the index began in 2014,’ Triangle added, noting increased use of digital surveillance to monitor and intimidate employees.
The report condemned ‘billionaire coups’ backed by right-wing and authoritarian leaders to revoke rights for profit maximisation, stating fewer countries consult labour organisations before enacting new labour laws.
‘Governments are failing to protect workers and in many cases actively weakening them, leading to coordinated attacks on democracy,’ Triangle stated.
The ITUC has compiled its annual index since 2014, ranking 151 countries based on dozens of criteria derived from International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.