🌍 Global Labor Rights Index
Compare key labor indicators across countries – empowering workers, journalists & unions.
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Sources: ILO, World Bank, RSF, national labor agencies (2025)
Why a Global Labor Rights Index ?
Behind every product we consume stands a worker whose rights may or may not be respected. The Global Labor Rights Index (GLRI) allows journalists, unions, researchers and citizens to quantify and compare those rights across borders in a matter of seconds. From statutory minimum wages to freedom of information, the GLRI translates complex legislation into clear, actionable indicators.
How the data are compiled
Each indicator is sourced from internationally recognised databases and refreshed at least once a year:
- Minimum wage, paid leave, working-time limits – ILO Wages and Working-Time Statistics (COND database).
- Right to strike, union protection, maternity leave – ILO Working Conditions Laws Database.
- Informal-work rate – World Bank Informal Economy Database (2020 edition).
- Gender pay gap – ILO-OECD harmonised figures.
- Press-freedom score – Reporters Without Borders, World Press Freedom Index (methodology).
- ILO core-convention compliance – ICFTU desk research cross-checked with ILO supervisory bodies.
Whenever national legislation differs by region or enterprise size, the strictest national-level figure is displayed. Local variations (e.g. Seattle’s minimum wage) are noted in the footnotes of our downloadable dataset.
Interpreting the indicators
Higher is better for most quantitative variables (wages, paid leave). For the Press Freedom Score, however, a lower figure signals stronger freedom because it is expressed as number of restrictions per 100 points (0 = best, 100 = worst).
Qualitative scales (Union Protection, Labor Court Access) follow the same wording as the underlying sources. If you hover a cell inside the table, a tooltip shows the original legal reference.
Limits & ongoing improvements
Labour law evolves fast — sometimes overnight. Although we update the GLRI continuously, a short lag may occur. We therefore encourage readers to cross-check with their local labour offices in time-sensitive situations.
Contribute & stay informed
Found a discrepancy or a recent reform? Let us know via our correction form. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly updates on new countries, fresh indicators and exclusive investigations into workplace abuses worldwide.