Society American workers almost don't have any rights by international standards

[Maciamo]

Whenever American citizens meet other Westerners and discuss their working conditions and rights it always comes as a shock to both sides how grossly exploited American workers are. It's pretty eloquent.

This is the world map of the Labour Rights Index for 2024.


The index is computed based on these 10 criteria:

1. Fair Wages
2. Decent Working Hours
3. Employment Security
4. Family Responsibilities
5. Maternity at Work
6. Safe Work
7. Social Security
8. Fair Treatment
9. Child and Forced Labour
10. Freedom of Association

US workers do not have paid sick days, paid vacations, or parental leaves. In most states they can be fired on the spot for no reason, while in another developed countries (not just in Europe) employers need to notify workers several weeks in advance and provide a valid reason. But usually things even more pernicious than that in the US. Just listen to this American now living in the UK telling about how different the working conditions are in the two countries. Yet the UK probably has some of the worst labour rights in Europe. Even so it looks like paradise compared to the working condition in the US.

 

[moonlitedr]

In America, some states have what is called a "right-to-work" law which allows allows non-union members to enter unionized work spaces. This creates free-riders who get union protection and collective bargaining power while contributing nothing and in turn makes it harder to sustain unions and creates a divide between workers. It's like if someone went to a country with universal healthcare, reaped the benefits, while paying no taxes.