End Violence Against Trade Unions
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Around the world, members of trade unions are targets of government and paramilitary violence.
The right to union organizing is protected under several international legal documents. Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining is one of the four core labor standards recognized by the International Labor Organization (ILO). In addition to upholding the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights specifically protects unions in Article 23, section 4, stating “Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.”
Under the threat of violence, it is impossible for workers to exercise their rights to freely organize. The 2008 International Confederation of Free Trade Unions global survey of trade union rights and statistics found that:
- A worldwide total of 91 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers’ rights, with Colombia, where 39 lost their lives, by far the worst offender yet again.
- Latin America remained the most dangerous continent for union activity in 2007 with a disturbing upsurge in violence in Guatemala
- Serious and systematic harassment and intimidation was reported in 63 countries.
- New legal and administrative measures to restrict union activities were introduced in 15 countries where an estimated 20,000 workers were sacked by anti-union employers
The 2007 ITUC report found that:
- 144 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers' rights
- More than 800 unionists were victims of violent assaults
- 4,959 union activists were arrested
- Almost 9,000 workers were fired for their involvement in union organizing
- Almost 500 activists were detained for their union work
Violence against trade unionists is only one tactic used by employers to prevent workers from forming unions. Employers' abuse of contract labor has become a common tactic meant to destroy worker rights to form unions and bargain collectively. Companies are rapidly replacing their regular, direct employees with contract workers who cannot fully exercise their labor rights. These workers are often hired as temporary workers or subcontracted by employment agencies, labor “cooperatives,” or labor recruiters. Other workers wrongly classified as independent contractors. These workers have unstable jobs and are generally more fearful of being fired for organizing or blatantly denied the right to join a union.
ILRF stands strongly opposed to all forms of repression and violence against union activists.
If your union is facing repression or violence because of your organizing, please contact ILRF Campaigns Assistant Tim Newman.
We Need Your Help!
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Protect the Right to Organize!
On International Human Rights Day, ILRF released a list of 5 companies that violate workers' right to organize. Check out the list here and tell them to protect workers' rights.
Philippines: violence against workers continues
Take action to support Philippine workers in their struggle to improve working conditions and to defend their right to organize!
Publications and Resources
Recent Headlines
- Grave Concerns for Democracy and Trade Union Freedoms in Guinea ITUC
- Colombia: Another Trade Unionist Asassinated ITUC
- Worst Companies for Union Organizing Highlighted for International Human Rights Day ILRF Press Release
- CENTRAL AMERICA: Trade Unionists Face Deadly Dangers Inter Press Service
- HUMAN RIGHTS DAY : 5 ‘Scrooge’ multinationals named Philippine Daily Inquirer
About the Photo
Philippine labor activists picket the Australian Embassy in Manila.
Credit: Jay Directo/AFP/Getty Images
Worker Rights are Human Rights!
As human rights advocates celebrate International Human Rights Day, ILRF has released a list of the five worst companies for union organizing. Click here to take action!
Trade Union Violence in the Philippines
ILRF filed a petition against the Philippines under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program on June 22, 2007. The complaint alleges that the Philippine government systematically denies workers the rights of freedom of association, the right to organize and to form and join unions.