Freedom Of Association Of Workers From A Global South Perspective: In Search Of A Collective Approach In The Digitized Work Environment

This policy brief proposes to analyze the consequences of digitization to the right of association, focusing on the ability of different groups to organize for the protection of their own interests. The ability to associate in various ways is a key factor in gaining more bargaining power in situations of structural inequality. This also happens in the online world. In this sense, we will analyze the changes that occurred in the past years regarding work and the spread of digitization in the most varied forms of work. The brief will adopt two different perspectives: first regarding the digitization of traditional trade unions, and second also with the association of new forms of labor. From tech sector workers subject to precarious conditions, to re-placement of human work with machines, and the individualization of delivery platforms workers, the right to associate and bargain collectively is a cross-cutting theme, which can allow advances in direct negotiation with companies and governments, in addition to being a catalyst for legislative changes with the aim of making progress in overcoming various inequalities. To this end, our brief presents human rights standards, the ILO work on freedom of as-sociation and collective bargaining and establish connections between the SDG and the role of States in preserving the right of association, as a necessary requirement to assure labor rights in face of digitization. This policy brief underlines freedom of association as a human right crucial for achieving SDGs. As our contribution, we present five main recommendations to the (G20 aimed at promoting freedom of association in the digital era.