International Labour Standards on Collective bargaining

Freedom of association ensures that workers and employers can associate to negotiate work relations effectively. Combined with strong freedom of association, sound collective bargaining practices ensure that employers and workers have an equal voice in negotiations and that the outcome is fair and equitable. Collective bargaining allows both sides to negotiate a fair employment relationship and prevents costly labour disputes. Indeed, some research has indicated that countries with highly coordinated collective bargaining tend to have less inequality in wages, lower and less persistent unemployment, and fewer and shorter strikes than countries where collective bargaining is less established. Good collective bargaining practices have sometimes been an element that has allowed certain countries to overcome passing financial crises. ILO standards promote collective bargaining and help to ensure that good labour relations benefit everyone.

Selected relevant ILO instruments