FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION: A GUIDE FOR WORKERS

What are the key principles underlying freedom of association (FOA) and how can they be enforced in practice? The ILO standards, principles and procedures explained in this guide have been used:

• To help countries which have sought to introduce democracy;
• To secure the release of trade unionists and employers’ representatives from detention and arrest;
• To maintain and promote the rights of the social partners (employers’ and workers’ organizations);
• To bargain collectively on terms and conditions of work;
• To protect individual workers against discrimination based on the exercise of their associational rights.

ILO standards and principles on freedom of association
Get an overview of the principles on freedom of association which have been established by the ILO supervisory bodies on the basis of the ILO’s Constitution and its standards.

Refer a case of violation of freedom of association
Understand how ILO procedures and bodies can best be used to secure and promote freedom of association.

This website is based on the existing publication: Tajgman D. and Curtis K., Freedom of association: A users’ guide, Geneva, ILO, 2000. It was developed in close collaboration with the Freedom of Association Branch of the International Labour Standards Department.