Fundamental Rights at Work

The world needs a floor of social rights. This became clear in the beginning of the 1990s with the emergence of a universal market economy, globalization and the information technology revolution. Debate intensified as it became apparent that economic growth did not guarantee social progress. Amongst several means of action by the ILO to promote a floor of social rights, is the campaign to promote fundamental principles and rights at work and the universal ratification of the eight ILO Conventions covering these principles and rights. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up, adopted in 1998, aims to ensure that social progress goes hand in hand with economic progress and development. It covers four principles and rights:

• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining;
• The elimination of forced and compulsory labour;
• The elimination of discrimination in the workplace; and
• The abolition of child labour.

The fundamental rights at work constitute a central plank of decent work