Measuring decent work

The fourth edition of the Labour Rights Index, launched on the eve of the World Day for Decent Work (October 7), shows that between January 2024 and January 2026, far more countries strengthened their labour laws than weakened them. The global debate on jobs is shifting from how many jobs are created to what kind and quality. A frequent argument is that most countries already have enough labour laws and that the real problem is implementation. Implementation matters, but a right that does not exist in law cannot be implemented. If the law provides no maternity protection or no right to…