Economic Rights

Economic rights are a subgroup of human rights that protect a person’s right to pursue economic development. This includes the right to work and gain one’s living at work that is freely chosen and protection from economic exploitation, including child labor practices and forced or dangerous labor. These rights are often grouped with social and cultural rights and have been codified in multiple pieces of international covenants. Economic rights have developed over time, with the 19th and 20th centuries serving as a turning point in recognizing these rights and their importance in pursuing social justice. Throughout history, economic rights were not widely recognized. In Great Britain and the United States, the Industrial Revolution and the creation of a working class led to conflicts between the classes. Labor strikes during this time led to the development of labor laws related to fair pay and safe working conditions. However, these impacts were not reflected in every region as the world industrialized. In the modern age, many countries are known to engage in forced labor practices, the suppression of labor unions, and various forms of economic exploitation. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 form the International Bill of Human Rights, which provides the legal framework for the protection of human rights, including economic rights. Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights protects a person’s right to self-determination, including the right to “freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.” This includes the right to choose one’s place of work, the right to a safe work environment, and the right to access economic resources that are used to survive and prosper. Recognizing and protecting economic rights ensures that a person can live with dignity, participate in society and culture, and pursue personal development without discrimination. Something that inhibits a person’s ability to pursue economic freedom and development and participate in society is war. The widespread destruction of infrastructure, displacement, and disruptions to the market or economic institutions in areas affected by conflict all undermine the pillars of economic freedom and prevent one from participating in any economic and social activities they may choose. Economic rights are heavily connected to social and cultural rights, as economic freedom allows for the pursuit of social and cultural development. With the protection of economic rights, a person may not have the resources to engage in acts that promote the general welfare of individuals and society, such as seeking education, accessing healthcare, or preserving cultural heritage.