Fundamental Labour Rights

Fundamental labour rights, as defined by the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998, amended 2022), comprise five categories of core labour standards: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining (Conventions 87 and 98), the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour (Conventions 29 and 105), the effective abolition of child labour (Conventions 138 and 182), the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation (Conventions 100 and 111), and a safe and healthy working environment (Conventions 155 and 187, added in 2022).

These rights are considered fundamental because they are enabling rights — their realisation is necessary for the achievement of all other labour rights. The UN Global Compact's Principles 3-6 directly address fundamental labour rights. GRI 407-409 require disclosure on freedom of association, child labour, and forced labour risks and incidents.

Further Reading

• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
• ISO 26000 — Human rights guidance

Related Topics

• Human Rights Due Diligence
• Fundamental Labour Rights
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions