Tools and Services on Freedom of Association

2017

  1. Issue Brief no. 1 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    Trends in collective bargaining coverage: stability, erosion or decline?

    01 November 2017

    Collective bargaining over wages and other working conditions between unions and employers is a key labour market institution in democratic societies. The coverage and impact of this institution varies over time and across countries. This policy brief examines differences in collective bargaining coverage for 75 countries.

  2. Publication

    Collection and Use of Labour Inspection Statistics - A short guide

    11 January 2017

    This guide is intended to introduce governments, in particular ministries of labour and labour inspectorates, the importance of labour inspection statistics and benefits that can be derived from them. The guide presents, in a user-friendly manner, practical advice about labour inspection information and statistics. It details why these statistics are useful and ways in which they can increase the efficiency of inspectorates; what areas they should cover; and how they can be produced, interpreted and presented to stakeholders.

2016

  1. Publication

    Guide on the Harmonization of Labour Inspection Statistics

    02 August 2016

    This publication provides a methodology for the use of common terms and definitions and common procedures for the collection and compilation of labour inspection data. It also incorporates several additional recommendations that further the objective of harmonizing labour inspection statistics.

2015

  1. Factsheet no. 4 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    The application of collective agreements

    14 December 2015

    Ideally, workers and managers will ensure that collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) are applied. Managers will make sure that workers are paid the agreed rates and that working conditions are as specified in the latest agreement. Trade union officers will communicate with workers, explaining what has been agreed and discussing how to approach the implementation of any changes. Managers and trade union representatives together will monitor the application of the agreement and work together within agreed procedures to resolve any problems that arise with putting it into practice. In many circumstances, however, the application of agreements is not so straightforward.

  2. Factsheet no. 3 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    Subjects for collective bargaining

    14 December 2015

  3. Factsheet no. 2 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    Representativity and recognition for collective bargaining

    14 December 2015

    If a collective bargaining agreement is to reflect a fair balance between the interests of the workers and employers that it covers, the organizations that negotiate on behalf of each side must be properly representative.

  4. Factsheet no. 1 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    Collective bargaining

    14 December 2015

    Negotiating or bargaining is a means of joint decision making. It is used by individuals or groups like trade unions and employers who depend on each other to achieve their goals but who may have different interests.

  5. Issue Brief no. 3 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    Collective bargaining and non-standard forms of employment: Practices that reduce vulnerability and ensure work is decent

    14 December 2015

    Collective bargaining is widely recognized as an important tool for improving working conditions and labour relations, but can it play the same role for workers in non-standard forms of employment? This issue brief looks at the ways in which collective bargaining is used to negotiate better terms and conditions of employment for workers in temporary and part-time employment, and in forms of employment involving multiple parties, such as temporary agency work.

  6. Issue Brief no. 2 - Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining

    Improving working conditions for domestic workers: organizing, coordinated action and bargaining

    04 December 2015

    This Issue Brief examines innovative approaches to workers’ and employers’ organizations and collective bargaining that protect domestic workers from the risk of being engaged in unacceptable forms of work and afford them effective and inclusive labour protection.

2014

  1. Publication

    Rules of the Game: a brief introduction to International Labour Standards (Revised edition 2014)

    06 November 2014

    Aimed at a non-specialist audience, this revised publication provides an introduction to international labour standards and discusses their importance in today’s global economy, the subjects they cover, how they are applied and supervised, and where further information can be sought.