Nigeria has been named among the worst countries for workers’ rights in the newly released 2025 Global Rights Index by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
The report categorizes Nigeria alongside countries such asBangladesh, Egypt, Belarus, and Türkiye, highlighting the deepening crisis in labor rights across the globe. The Index, which evaluates workers’ rights in 151 countries, paints a grim picture of systemic violations and growing impunity.
According to the report, workers’ rights are deteriorating rapidly on every continent, with Europe and the Americas recording their lowest scores since the Index was first published in 2014. Just seven countries worldwide were awarded the highest score for labor protections, a dramatic drop from 18 countries ten years ago. The ITUC warned that if the current pace of decline continues, no country will retain a top rating within the next decade.
The Middle East and North Africa remain the most hostile regions for workers, with widespread abuses such as suppression of the right to strike and collective bargaining.
The global outlook is similarly dire: 87% of countries violate the right to strike, and access to justice is restricted in 72%, the worst figure ever recorded. These findings reflect what the ITUC calls “a coordinated global assault” on organized labor and worker protections.
In response to the findings, ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle condemned the global retreat from labor rights. “The 2025 Index exposes the betrayal of a post-World War Two system based on democracy and union rights. Decades of deregulation and neglect have enabled this collapse,” Triangle said.
He further criticized governments for enabling “a billionaire coup against democracy,” which he argues is deepening inequality and disenfranchising workers worldwide.
The report highlighted twelve countries suffering extreme deterioration in labor conditions, earning the lowest possible score of 5+. These include conflict-ridden nations such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, and Myanmar, where the rule of law has broken down, making labor rights virtually non-existent. Meanwhile, countries like Australia, Mexico, and Oman showed slight improvements in their ratings for 2025.
While some nations have made progress, others have regressed. Argentina, Italy, Panama, and four others reported significant increases in rights violations. The ITUC released the Index to coincide with the International Labour Conference (ILC), currently underway at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. This event, often described as the “world’s parliament for work,” serves as a platform to tackle urgent labor issues.
As part of its efforts at the ILC, the ITUC is pushing for stronger international enforcement mechanisms. These include addressing abuses in countries like Myanmar through Article 33 measures, advocating for better protections in the gig economy, addressing biological workplace hazards, and promoting the transition from informal to formal work.
A special session on the Rights Index is scheduled for 10 June, where union representatives from the worst-affected countries will share testimonies.
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