Laborrights

Labor rights are the set of basic rights and protections related to work. They are grounded in human rights law and are intended to safeguard dignity, safety, fair treatment, and opportunity for workers. Core rights include freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, non-discrimination in employment, and the prohibition of child labor and forced labor. Other essential protections cover fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safe and healthy working conditions.

The International Labour Organization plays a central role in articulating and promoting labor rights. The ILO oversees core conventions on freedom of association, the elimination of forced labor, the abolition of child labor, and non-discrimination in employment, and its fundamental principles are promoted through the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. National laws, regional treaties, and private standards also shape labor rights, with enforcement typically carried out by labor ministries, judicial systems, and labor unions. Global supply chains have further highlighted the need to protect workers across borders, including migrant workers and those in non-standard forms of employment.

Key policy domains include minimum wages, working hours, occupational safety and health, and social protection. The right to organize and bargain collectively remains central in many settings, though coverage varies, especially in informal sectors. Ongoing global challenges include informal work, gender pay gaps, rising non-standard employment, and enforcement gaps in some regions. Efforts continue to strengthen universal standards, improve monitoring, and expand access to remedies for violations.