Democracy Research Guide : Introduction

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Labor Unions and Worker's Rights

There is tremendous variety in the NGOs, IGOs and other bodies with a presence on the Internet and the number of such Web sites grows daily. The organizations currently presented in this section were chosen for their mission of fostering positive, democratic change around the world.

Given the dynamic nature of the Web, this section is not an exhaustive list of relevant organizations and responsibility for site content and maintenance rests with the owners. Please note that the inclusion of an organization does not imply endorsement by the National Endowment for Democracy. If you would like to suggest a site to be added to this list please send a message to gingerr@ned.org.

American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center)
http://www.solidaritycenter.org
The Solidarity Center is a non-profit AFL-CIO allied organization that assists workers around the world who are struggling to build democratic and independent trade unions. We work with unions and community groups worldwide to achieve equitable, sustainable, democratic development and to help men and women everywhere stand up for their rights and improve their living and working standards.
Subject: Civic Education; Civil Society Strengthening; Conflict Resolution; Elections; Labor Unions and Workers Rights; Legislative Development and Assistance; Media and Freedom of Expression; Rule of Law; Transparency and Anti-Corruption; Women's Issues
Region: Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; Asia; Europe; Eurasia; Middle East and North Africa
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. full-text, downloadable publications of Solidarity Center and partner reports, brochures, and other tools
2. current news and links to ICFTU updates
3. information on current projects
4. links to labor and worker rights organizations and to foreign-language web sites developed by Solidarity Center partners

International Labor Organization (ILO)
http://www.ilo.org
The ILO is a UN agency that primarily focuses on the adoption of international labor standards that preserve the human rights and civil rights of workers around the world.
Subject: Labor Unions and Workers Rights
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. full-text version of the ILO constitution
2. full-text archive of the eight ILO conventions and their resulting declarations and standards (with cross references to the ILO constitution); this includes the Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work that was established by the ILO in 1998
3. links to ILO's various programs and departments working on issues such as employment, child labor and safety; these sections provide their own archives of news letters, conference reports and declarations in full-text format
4. local web sites in arabic, german, italian, japanese, portuguese and turkish

International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF)
http://www.laborrights.org/
ILRF is an advocacy organization dedicated to achieving just and humane treatment for workers worldwide. ILRF serves a unique role among human rights organizations as advocates for and with working poor around the world.
Subject: Labor Unions and Workers Rights
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. full-text publications
2. current news
3. information on current projects
4. links to other Labor Rights organizations
5. action alerts

Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN)
http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/
MSN is a Canadian network promoting solidarity with groups in Mexico, Central America, and Asia organizing in maquiladora factories and export processing zones to improve conditions and win a living wage. In a global economy it is essential that groups in the North and South work together for employment with dignity, fair wages and working conditions, and healthy workplaces and communities.
Subject: Labor Unions and Workers Rights
Region: Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. Action Tools for campaigning, research, and education
2. current news
3. online resource centre with bibliographies for further reading
4. links to other organizations

U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/
Part of the U.S. State Dept., the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs (DRL) has a wide range of responsibilities that include promoting democracy worldwide, formulating U.S. human rights policies, and coordinating policy in human rights-related labor issues.
Subject: Human Rights; Labor Unions and Workers Rights
Region: Global
Languages: English

Research Tools:
1. reports, fact sheets and findings on issues ranging from international women's issues to the promotion of democracy and human rights
2. full-text core documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and State Department reports that categorize, document and give executive summaries of issues that include the freedom of religion and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo
3. extensive full-text archive of State Department remarks from the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary, press briefings and press statements