Summary: The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) 2025 Global Rights Index, the only worldwide survey of workers’ rights violations, reveals a worsening crisis for trade unions and workers. This twelfth edition shows average country ratings deteriorated in three of five global regions – Europe, the Americas and Africa – with Europe and the Americas recording their worst scores since 2014【247156779798188†L200-L204】. Only seven of 151 countries earned the top rating, while scores worsened in Argentina, Costa Rica, Georgia, Italy, Mauritania, Niger and Panama【247156779798188†L200-L204】. The index highlights escalating attacks on fundamental rights: workers had no or restricted access to justice in 72% of countries; 45% of countries restricted free speech and assembly; the right to strike was violated in 87% of countries; union registration was impeded in 74% of countries; collective bargaining was restricted in 80% of countries; and authorities in 71 countries arrested or imprisoned workers【247156779798188†L200-L204】. Violence against unionists fell slightly but remained widespread, with activists killed in Cameroon, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru and South Africa【247156779798188†L200-L204】.

Worst countries and regional trends: The index names the ten worst countries for workers in 2025: Bangladesh, Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Tunisia and Türkiye【247156779798188†L200-L204】. The Middle East and North Africa remains the most repressive region, where every country violated the rights to collective bargaining, to form or join a union, and to register a union【247156779798188†L200-L204】. Africa recorded its second-worst average rating, with rights to strike, collective bargaining and unionisation impeded in more than 90% of countries【247156779798188†L200-L204】. The Asia‑Pacific region improved marginally but saw a sharp rise in violence and crackdowns on free speech and assembly【247156779798188†L200-L204】. The Americas’ rating worsened to its lowest since 2014, with union registration curtailed in 92% of countries and workers detained in six of ten countries; Europe remains the least repressive region yet continues to deteriorate【247156779798188†L200-L204】.

Key trends and analysis: The report warns of increasing authoritarianism in policymaking and abuse of “foreign agent” laws to criminalise civil society and unions【247156779798188†L200-L204】. It also notes a growing global pushback as unions mobilise to reclaim rights, citing strikes and protests in Argentina against President Javier Milei’s anti‑union reforms, in Finland against strike‑curtailing laws, and across numerous countries to defend labour rights【247156779798188†L200-L204】. ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle calls the index an urgent call to resist a ‘coup on democracy’ orchestrated by far‑right politicians and billionaire backers, urging unity through independent unions to protect democratic freedoms and build a fairer future【247156779798188†L200-L204】.

Implications: The 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index underscores that most workers around the world face increasing repression and violations of their fundamental rights. With access to justice eroding, speech and assembly curtailed, and union organising and collective bargaining under attack, the findings highlight the urgent need for robust labour protections, democratic reforms and international solidarity to defend workers’ rights worldwide.