Workers’ rights in Europe are at their ‘worst level’ in at least a decade as a result of government crackdowns on the right to strike and union busting by employers, the annual Global Rights Index published today shows.
Violations of workers’ rights in Europe were classified as ‘sporadic’ when the index was first compiled by the International Trade Union Confederation in 2014. But Europe is now considered a ‘repeat’ offender following the biggest decline seen in any region worldwide over the past 10 years. According to the Index:
• 41% of countries in Europe violated the right to establish and join a trade union.
• 37% of countries in Europe impeded the registration of unions.
• 54% of countries in Europe denied workers access to justice.
• 17% of countries in Europe restricted free speech and assembly.
• 32% of countries in Europe arrested and detained workers.
• Workers experienced violent attacks in 17% of countries in Europe
The report highlights how the rise of far-right political parties and movements across Europe has heightened the risk of further erosion in the rights of workers and unions, citing anti-strike laws in Finland and Italy.
But the deregulation drive being led by democratic politicians also risk making the situation much worse. The European Commission is currently pushing forward a ‘28th regime’, which would remove protection under labour law and collective agreements for workers in some companies.
The European Trade Union Confederation is calling for the Commission to urgently bring forward a Quality Jobs Package including legislation that will reinforce rights in Europe, including new rules on public procurement that ensure that public money goes to companies which respect collective agreements.
Commenting on today’s report, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“It should be a matter of deep shame to politicians and employers that Europe has seen the biggest decline in workers’ rights anywhere in the world over the last decade.
“This report shows again how far-right politicians take decisions which make the lives of working people worse when they are in power, whatever they promise in opposition.
“But democratic politicians also need to stop being complicit in the degradation of rights which have made Europe the best place to live and work in the world.
“The European Commission must stop its plan to undermine labour law and collective agreements in the name of deregulation.
“It is clear we urgently need to reinforce the rights of working people – not be bullied out of our successful European social model by Donald Trump or billionaire tech bros.”
