THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Court of Justice will deliver a significant ruling Thursday regarding workers’ rights to strike, potentially clarifying whether employees can legally refuse to work as a form of protest.
The court’s 15 judges were requested in 2023 by the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency, to resolve an internal disagreement about whether one of the ILO’s agreements grants workers strike privileges.
This agreement has received approval from 158 nations and has been integrated into United Nations labor standards, guidance from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and global trade deals. While the United States participates in the ILO, it has not approved this particular agreement.
Though advisory rulings lack legal enforcement power, they hold substantial influence and this determination could affect labor laws across the globe.
Various United Nations agencies have the authority to request the ICJ’s input on legal matters and receive advisory guidance. In the previous year, the court delivered a significant advisory ruling stating that nations might violate international law if they don’t implement measures to safeguard the environment from climate change.
Throughout October hearings, the court in The Hague received testimony from 18 nations and five global organizations, including the ILO, while numerous other countries provided written statements. Most participants supported workers’ strike rights.
