Social Sustainability

Worker Rights

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Definition

Worker rights are the entitlements of workers under international labour standards and national law. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work identifies five core categories: freedom of association and collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour, abolition of child labour, elimination of discrimination, and a safe and healthy working environment.

References

Source organisationSupporting reference

This reference provides supporting context for how “Worker Rights” is defined and used.

www.ilo.orgBulk import source

Source imported for editorial provenance.

Overview

How it is used

Companies adopt labour policies and conduct human rights due diligence; social audit schemes assess supplier compliance; trade agreements include labour chapters; ESG ratings evaluate worker-rights performance and controversies.

Why it matters

Respect for worker rights is the floor of corporate social performance; violations — forced labour, union suppression, discrimination — are among the most severe sustainability failures.