Social Sustainability
Right to Strike
Definition
The right to strike is the right of workers, acting collectively and typically through their unions, to stop work in pursuit of economic and social interests. It is recognised in Article 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and has been read by the ILO's supervisory bodies into Convention No. 87 on freedom of association as an indispensable corollary — though the precise scope of ILO protection is periodically contested by employer groups.
References
Source imported for editorial provenance.
This reference provides supporting context for how “Right to Strike” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures labour law, collective bargaining dynamics, supply chain labour standards (which reference freedom of association), and human rights due diligence on worker voice.
Why it matters
Collective withdrawal of labour is the ultimate source of worker bargaining power; where it is suppressed, other labour rights become unenforceable in practice.