Support for labor unions has increased over recent years due to universal backing and the anticipation of a tighter labor market and the need for essential workers. The future of labor unions’ activity over recent months in Europe, according to Harvard Economist – Harvard Gazette Labor, has reflected the influence of labor unions worldwide and varies from country to country, however, there are suggested decreases in membership with the need for the number of workers increased, and with workers facing financial hardships.
United Nations
From an international perspective, labor unions are recognized by the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and designated under their decent work for all mandate. The UN Global Compact supports labor rights with the foundation of the Sustainable Development Goal 8 of Decent Work, which prescribes high labor standards and respect for workers’ rights. The mission is to ensure that all people have access to a decent life and decent work in a healthy environment, along with access to quality public services and quality education and skills training.
There are promising results as well as shortages in the requirements for high labor standards, as the UN states that sustainable and inclusive workplace practices are needed worldwide. An estimated 630 million workers worldwide are not making enough to support themselves and their families. They have assessed that 74 percent of countries excluded workers from joining a worker’s union, while hundreds of millions of people suffer from work discrimination. Decent work is considered work that is productive and produces a fair income.