The 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index reveals that Asia-Pacific showed continued marginal improvements from its worst rating on record in 2022, but is remains second worst region in the world for workers. Asia-Pacific recorded an average rating of 4.08 in 2025, compared to 4.13 in 2024, indicating that despite some progress, workers remain routinely exposed to the systematic violation of their rights.
The 12th edition of the ITUC Global Rights Index paints a grim picture of the region’s trade union rights landscape. Below are some of the key findings in the report:
“These figures underscore a pattern of repression that silences workers, dismantles trade unions, and blocks workers’ participation in democratic life,” said Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific. “When trade union rights are under attack, so too is the foundation of democracy — because without freedom of association, freedom of speech, and social dialogue, workers have no voice in shaping the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.
Of the ten worst countries for workers worldwide, four are countries where ITUC-Asia Pacific has membership: Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Türkiye. These countries have been consistently identified for extreme rights violations, including violence, persecution of union leaders, and denial of basic freedoms.
“The Global Rights Index confirms what unions on the ground are experiencing daily: a deepening erosion of rights and freedoms across the region. We are witnessing the criminalisation of organising, suppression of strikes and peaceful assembly, and state-sponsored attacks on workers — all of which must be urgently addressed,” said Shoya Yoshida.
While most countries in the region fared low in the rating, Australia’s rating improved to 2 (from 3). Australia built stronger protections for trade union rights by instituting positive reforms in the industrial relations framework, which was developed in consultation with trade unions.
ITUC-Asia Pacific calls on governments across the region to uphold international labour standards, engage in genuine social dialogue, and put an end to violence, persecution, and repression of unions.
“It is time to reverse this disturbing trend. Workers are not just demanding better wages — they are fighting for their very right to exist, organise, and speak out,” Shoya Yoshida added. “A just, and democratic society is impossible without strong unions and the protection of labour rights.”
Launched at the 113th International Labour Conference on 10 June 2025, the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index is a comprehensive review of workers’ rights in law ranking 151 countries against a list of 97 indicators derived from ILO Conventions and jurisprudence, and as such is the only database of its kind. Violations are recorded each year from April to March.
.png)
%201.svg)
