Standards & rights at work:
Committee on Freedom of Association

The importance of freedom of association – often referred to as “trade union rights" – is so great that the ILO has set up special machinery for dealing with allegations that this right is being violated or denied. There is a special Committee on Freedom of Association to ensure that trade union rights are respected. In many cases it has been successful in having restrictions on freedom of association removed and in ensuring the release of arrested leaders of workers' organizations. Not only national organizations but also international organizations of workers are entitled to make a formal complaint. Moreover, a complaint may be considered whether or not the government concerned has ratified the Conventions on freedom of association and the right to organize.

Committee of Freedom of Association

• Cases related to agriculture; plantations; other rural sectors.