Description of the Ratings
1 - Total Lack of Decent Work
Decent work deficits are rife in countries with a rating of 1 (Total Lack of Decent Work). The national/local legislation barely meets the international standard on even half of the 46 evaluation criteria. There is an absence of minimal labour rights under the legislation. Workers are deprived of access to decent work in nearly every aspect of working life.
2 - Basic Access to Decent Work
Minimal labour rights are provided under the legislation in countries with a rating of 2 (Basic Access to Decent Work). There are systematic violations of workplace rights through statutory means. Workers have nominal access to decent work in a few aspects of working life only. The national/local legislation does not meet the international standard on nearly 20 of the 46 evaluation criteria.
3 - Limited Access to Decent Work
Restricted labour rights are provided under the legislation in countries with a rating of 3 (Limited Access to Decent Work). Workers have access to decent work in limited aspects of working life only. The national/local legislation does not meet the international standard on nearly 18 of the 46 evaluation criteria.
4 - Reasonable Access to Decent Work
Generally, labour rights are reasonably provided under the legislation in countries with a rating of 4 (Reasonable Access to Decent Work). Workers have fair access to decent work in some aspects of working life. The countries with this rating have scored Yes on at least 33 of the 46 evaluation criteria.
5 - Approaching Decent Work
Countries with a rating of 5 (Approaching Decent Work) have generally a lower level of labour rights than those with a rating of 6. Countries with this rating have scored Yes on at least 37 of the 46 evaluation criteria. Most labour rights are provided under the legislation. Workers have frequent access to decent work in most aspects of working life.
6 - Decent Work
Almost all labour rights, as covered by the Index, are provided under the legislation in countries with a ranking of 6(Decent Work). Workers have regular access to decent work in nearly every aspect of working life. Reforms in labour legislation in a couple of areas can improve the statutory rights further.
What is Next?
In the upcoming editions of the Labour Rights Index, we plan to include the following components: Provision of daycare/childcare centres at the workplace; fair treatment of part- time workers equivalent to comparable full-time workers with respect to different aspects of employment; the labour inspection system; prohibition of worst forms of child labour; establishment of social dialogue or tripartite mechanism to discuss labour market issues at the economy level.
The establishment of a vibrant labour inspection system and social dialogue mechanism with due representation from all relevant stakeholders is important from a governance viewpoint. While these are not directly associated with workers’ rights, these make the attainment of workers’ rights easier by simplifying the processes and removing any institutional hurdles.
It is also planned to extend the coverage to 145 countries. These mainly include countries from Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and some South American countries. Any future legal updates which lead to changes in the scores will also be included.