Global trends for workers in 2023 1. Democracy in crisis The Global Rights Index has tracked the key elements of workplace democracy for 10 years, including the right to establish and join a trade union, the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike as well as the right to free speech and assembly, which symbolises a healthy democracy. The systematic dismantling of the building blocks of freedom and democracy is taking place through sustained attacks on workers’ rights and workplace democracy through restrictions on the right to strike, free speech and assembly.
42%
42% of countries restricted free speech and assembly.
Countries where freedom of speech and assembly were denied or constrained increased from 26% of countries in 2014 to 42% of countries in 2023.
In the past 10 editions, the Global Rights Index has recorded an unprecedented increase in attacks on free speech and assembly from 26% of countries in 2014 to 42% of countries in 2023. In El Salvador, the government used the excuse of combatting gang violence to suspend the basic, democratic rights of working people. Credit: Marvin Recinos / AFP
10-year trends: The dismantling of workplace democracy
2023
48
2023 ITUC GLOBAL RIGHTS INDEX
