The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has issued a warning that workers’ rights have deteriorated most rapidly in Europe over the past decade. In its annual report, the organization stated that democracy is in danger and that the average score for workers’ rights in Europe has decreased from 2.56 to 2.73 on a scale of 1 to 5. This represents a significant decline compared to ten years ago, when Europe had a score of 1.84.
The ITUC notes that governments and companies are actively dismantling the European social model at an accelerating pace, which is having serious consequences for the continent. This trend is part of a larger, worldwide race to the bottom in terms of workers’ rights. Other regions, such as the Middle East and North Africa, have even lower average scores for workers’ rights.
While the American continent is doing slightly better than other regions in terms of workers’ rights, it still faces challenges. The region remains the most deadly for syndicalists, with many murders recorded every year. Despite this, no trade union representatives were killed in Europe during this time period, but many countries on the continent are guilty of violating the right to strike and subjecting workers to violence.
The Secretary General of ITUC, Luc Triangle, emphasized the importance of protecting workers’ rights amidst these concerning developments. He urged governments and companies around the world to prioritize worker protections and ensure that human rights are respected at all times.