Worst Region in the World

Middle East and North Africa is the worst region for working people

In 2023, the Middle East and North Africa continued to be the worst region in the world for workers’ rights with an average rating of 4.53.

The conflict zones of the region: Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen, have seen a breakdown of the law under which no workers’ rights nor their fundamental liberties can be guaranteed.

In Tunisia, President Kais Saied tightened his grip on power. Having dissolved the Parliament in July 2021, President Saied unilaterally adopted a new constitution in July 2022 without consultation with political parties or social partners. The past year has seen arrests and violations of collective bargaining rights, as well as repudiations of the right for international workers’ unions to demonstrate solidarity with their local allies.

In the Gulf countries, notwithstanding progress in Qatar, the kafala system remained in place and in practice, migrant workers, who represented the overwhelming majority of the working population in the region, remained exposed to severe human rights abuses.

In Algeria and Egypt , independent trade unions still struggled to obtain registration from hostile authorities, which severely impeded their capacity to function effectively.

95%

Right to strike

95% of countries violated the right to strike.

Right to establish and join a trade union

Right to collective bargaining

100% of countries violated the right to collective bargaining.

Right to justice

100% of countries excluded workers from the right to establish or join a trade union.

Right to trade union activities

100% of countries impeded the registration of unions.

Right to civil liberties

In 79% of countries, workers had no or restricted access to justice. 100% 100%

Workers were detained and arrested in 9 countries.

Violent attacks on workers

Workers experienced violence in 10 countries.

Right to free speech and assembly

79% of countries restricted free speech and assembly.