Most violated rights in the world 1. Increasing criminalisation of the right to strike In 2023, strikes have been severely restricted or banned in 130 out of 149 countries. In a number of these countries, industrial actions were brutally repressed by the authorities, and workers exercising their right to strike often faced criminal prosecution and summary dismissals. Violations of the right to strike are grouped into two categories: prosecution of union leaders for participating in strikes and cases of dismissals for taking part in strike action.
87%
87% of countries violated the right to strike.
Countries violating the right to strike increased from 63% of countries in 2014 to 87% of countries in 2023.
Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada take strike action in defence of public services. The right to strike in the country came under sustained attack from employers and the authorities. Credit: Lars Hagberg / AFP
10-year trends: Right to strike
2023
MOST VIOLATED RIGHTS IN THE WORLD
39
