Equality of Opportunity and Treatment in Employment and Occupation

Equality of opportunity and treatment in Employment and Occupation
(Arab Trade Union Confederation Educational Platform)

Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to present this lesson on the Arab Trade Union Confederation’s educational platform, which addresses a key issue in the fight for social justice and human rights in the world of work: the elimination of all forms of discrimination in employment and occupation.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 111 affirms that discrimination in employment—whether in hiring or working conditions—is a clear violation of the principles of equality and fairness. Discrimination not only undermines economic performance but also reinforces vulnerability and exclusion, particularly among women, youth, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and other marginalized groups.

Through this lesson, we aim to:
• Understand the concept of discrimination in employment and occupation, including both direct and indirect forms.
• Review the international and national legal frameworks for combating discrimination, with a focus on ILO Convention No. 111 and its related recommendations.
• Explore trade union tools and strategies to address workplace discrimination and promote the principle of equal opportunity.
• Discuss real-life examples from workplaces that illustrate various patterns of discrimination and how to address them through legal and union action.
• Promote a culture of equality and inclusion within trade unions and across work environments.

The lesson includes a variety of educational resources: training videos, simplified legal texts, case analysis exercises, and a practical guide for union representatives on how to handle workplace discrimination complaints.

Eliminating discrimination is not only a legal obligation—it is also a fundamental trade union priority to uphold workers’ dignity and build workplaces grounded in fairness, equality, and respect.

Let us approach this lesson with both trade union and human rights awareness, and commit to creating discrimination-free work environments where justice and equal opportunity prevail.