Academic Article: The 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly with the Theme "Better Together, Eighty Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights" in Relation to Workers' Rights Worldwide -- A Perspective of Global Labor Law
Author: Usman Arifin M, SH, MH
Introduction
The 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), carrying the theme "Better Together, Eighty Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights," presents a profound reflection on the trajectory of global policy over the past eight years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). The theme calls upon the international community to strengthen solidarity in the pursuit of peace, development, and the protection of human rights.
In the academic context, this idea is not merely rhetorical but directly connected to workers' rights, which constitute an inseparable component of universal human rights. Workers' rights occupy a central position within the framework of global labor law, as workers are the driving force behind social, economic, and cultural development across the world.
Workers' Rights in the International Perspective
Workers' rights rest upon a strong international legal foundation. Historically, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948 affirms in Article 23 that everyone has the right to work, to just remuneration, and to favorable conditions of employment. Article 24 further guarantees the right to rest and reasonable paid leave.
These principles were reinforced by the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO):
- Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association,
- Convention No. 98 on the Right to Collective Bargaining,
- Conventions No. 29 and 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labor,
- Conventions No. 138 and 182 on the Elimination of Child Labor.
Additionally, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), emphasizes that economic progress cannot be separated from respect for workers' dignity. Workers' rights are therefore not merely an economic instrument but an integral part of the human rights system oriented toward social justice.
The Relevance of the UNGA Theme to Workers' Rights
The theme "Better Together" reflects the urgency of cross-border cooperation in addressing global complexities. From the labor law perspective, this relevance may be understood through three key dimensions:
- Peace and Stability. Armed conflict, political instability, and humanitarian crises often directly affect workers, depriving them of employment, subjecting them to exploitative labor conditions, or forcing them into migration without legal protection. Safeguarding workers' rights is therefore integral to the pursuit of sustainable peace.
- Development and Decent Work. Sustainable economic growth is inseparable from the guarantee of workers' rights. Fair wages, social security, occupational safety, and equal opportunities are prerequisites for inclusive growth. Absent these, development risks exacerbating social inequality.
- Human Rights and Social Justice. In an era of globalization, migrant workers, women workers, and those in the informal sector are frequently subject to discrimination and marginalization. The 80th UNGA theme reminds us that global social justice must transcend national boundaries and encompass all categories of workers.