The 2025 International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index presents the most comprehensive yearly assessment of workers' rights globally. It offers crucial insights into changing risks and compliance challenges for supply chain managers, compliance officer and procurement teams across 151 countries.
This year's report shows a noticeable drop in labor rights, making it essential for businesses to include this information in their supplier management strategies.
Key trends shaping labour rights in 2025 according to The 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index
- Global decline in workers’ rights
- The Index reveals that only seven countries now fully respect workers’ rights, compared to 18 a decade ago.
- Europe and the Americas have recorded their lowest scores so far, while the Middle East and North Africa continue to be the most difficult areas for labor rights.
- Record levels of violations
- In 2025, 87% of countries violated the right to strike, and 80% restricted collective bargaining.
- Workers' access to justice is restricted in 72% of countries, representing the lowest level since the Index began.
- Escalating repression and regional hotspots
- Attacks on free speech and union registration are still common, with significant declines observed in nations such as Argentina and Italy.
- On the flip side, Australia, Mexico, and Oman have experienced progress.
How the ITUC Index methodology has evolved
The ITUC Index uses 97 indicators that match ILO (International Labour Organisation) conventions, allowing for comparisons from year to year. Recently, updates have been made to deepen country ratings and enhance the way legal and practical changes affecting trade union rights are monitored. These improvements make it a more helpful resource for evaluating risks in global supply chains.
4 ways Factlines uses ITUC data to strengthen supply chain risk management
Factlines' SRM software transforms the static ITUC Global Rights Index report into actionable risk insights. This allows companies to actively manage supplier risks and ensure regulatory compliance in an ever-changing environment.
1. Seamless integration of ITUC ratings into supplier risk scoring
Factlines seamlessly incorporates up-to-date ITUC country ratings into its supplier risk calculations. Every year, updates are applied immediately, keeping risk scores accurate and pertinent.
Example: If Oman's rating gets better, Factlines swiftly updates the risk profiles for all Omani suppliers, allowing companies to reevaluate opportunities and monitoring needs.
2. Dynamic supplier assessments informed by ITUC trends
Supplier questionnaires (SAQs) aim to address the specific risks identified in the ITUC Index. They ensure that due diligence remains focused and effective, targeting key labor rights issues relevant to each supplier's site.
For Instance: Suppliers in nations with high rates of union suppression get detailed questions about freedom of association and collective bargaining practices.
3. Proactive alerts and continuous monitoring for supply chain resilience
Supply chain managers get automated alerts whenever ITUC ratings for countries in their supplier network are updated. This allows them to respond quickly to reduce new risks before they turn into major disruptions.
Example: A downgrade in a supplier’s country rating triggers immediate follow-up and enhanced monitoring protocols.
4. Comprehensive documentation for regulatory compliance and audits
Factlines ensures that all ITUC-based evaluations and any following actions are documented with full audit trails. This supports compliance with regulations such as the EU CSDDD and the Norwegian Transparency Act, providing solid evidence for investors and auditors.
Example: Companies are able to export detailed records for regulatory reporting, showcasing systematic, data-driven labor rights due diligence.
Practical steps for evaluating suppliers using ITUC Index insights
- Ongoing risk assessment using ITUC data. Suppliers are continually evaluated and ranked based on the most recent risks identified in specific countries.
- Focused due diligence processes. Factlines procedures adjust to changing ITUC trends, making sure that interactions with suppliers stay relevant and productive.
- Consistent supplier interaction and enhancement. The platform supports dialogues and corrective actions with high-risk suppliers to foster long-term improvements, not just compliance.
Find out how Factlines can assist your business in managing labor rights risks in 2025. Request a Free Trial, or Book a demo to view our ITUC-integrated supplier risk management in operation.
Sources:
- ITUC Global Rights Index 2025 – International Trade Union Confederation
- Report details global deterioration of workers' rights – Common Dreams
- Workers' rights weaken across the world – Labour Research Service
- ITUC Global Rights Index 2025 reveals sharp decline in workers' rights – DevelopmentAid
- Workers’ rights collapse across the world: ITUC Global Rights Index 2025 – ITUC
