| Resumen: |
Freedom of association is a cornerstone of the ILO’s approach to development through decent work; namely, ensuring that all men and women have the ability to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. In the ILO’s 2008 Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation, freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining were described as important pre-conditions for the attainment of decent work, which is now recognised as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG1), the international community’s blueprint for development. It refers to the right of workers and employers to create and join organisations of their choice freely and without fear of reprisal or interference. This includes the right to establish and affiliate to confederations and international organisations. Linked to freedom of association is the right to collective bargaining, which allows workers to negotiate their working conditions freely with their employers.
This publication aims to highlight the pivotal role of freedom of association in fostering and maintaining sustainable development. As such, it seeks to provide ideas for governments, trade unions and employers’ organisations on how to work together to achieve real and tangible results for development.
Specifically, this publication outlines how respect for freedom of association can contribute to development outcomes by looking at the benefits it provides in four key areas: 1. Inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction; 2. A positive business environment; 3. Crisis response; and 4. Democracy and governance. |
