Human rights approach to work rights
“The right to an adequate standard of living and the right to form and join a trade union are among work rights
guaranteed as human rights in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today on
International Human Rights Day.
“The right to join with other workers and bargain collectively with employers is a human right guaranteed by
international law. A challenge to that right is not only a challenge to our law but to basic international human
rights.”
“Yet this right is challenged, most notably in the recent past by the Progressive Enterprises and Spotless Services
lockouts of low paid workers in supermarket supply chains and hospitals.”
“Unions are by definition collective organisations, and have a strong interest in building an understanding of the
collective nature of human rights. At the workplace level many union delegates and members are champions of human
rights, through challenging discrimination and promoting inclusive work practises.”
“We will continue to promote and protect work rights, and advocate a rights based approach to employment. Recently this
has included campaigning against the removal of unfair dismissal laws in the first 90 days, and mobilising for gains in
flexible working and ending youth rates discrimination,” Carol Beaumont said.
ENDS