May Day: Workers’ rights are human rights

This year will mark the 60^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, PSI takes the opportunity to re-emphasise that trade union rights are also human rights. On 1^st May PSI affiliates across the globe will be organising marches, demonstrations and rallies to call for the observance of trade union and human rights and to highlight the severe injustices that trade unionists remain subjected to, including murder and persecution in the worst instances.

PSI General Secretary, Peter Waldorff said “The fundamental importance of trade union and labour rights is well recognised within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However 60 years on, many workers still do not benefit from these most basic human rights. In Colombia at least 22 trade unionists have been killed so far this year; in Turkey police frequently use brutal force to break up legitimate peaceful protests. These are just a couple of examples.”

PSI is renewing its call to governments to do more than pay lip service to international instruments on human rights and labour standards and to take urgent steps to guarantee the exercise of trade union rights and the safety of trade unionists. PSI joins trade unions across the globe in calling for an end to exploitation; for safe working conditions; for respect for the dignity of workers; and for respect for the right of workers everywhere to form trade unions and to bargain collectively for their pay and conditions.

Waldorff continues, “Too many public service workers are still denied the right to organise and to bargain collectively with their employer. Strong public services depend on workers who are treated decently at work and are able to freely exercise the rights given to them by international instruments. Without strong, quality public services it is impossible to achieve a more just and equitable society where discrimination, poverty and hunger become things of the past.”

This year also marks the 60^th Anniversary of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and the Protection of the Right to Organise. So far 148 countries have ratified the Convention, but the International Labour Organisation recently expressed concern that Convention No. 87 has now become the least ratified of the eight fundamental Conventions.

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