Solidarity is more than just a word – it’s the force that moves history forward. It means standing together when the odds are stacked against us, refusing to let anyone fight alone and recognizing that when one worker is exploited, the rights of all workers are at risk.
Solidarity is not about politics or ideology. It’s about fairness, freedom and the belief that hard work should lead to dignity, not poverty. It’s what built strong economies, ended child labor and won the basic rights many of us take for granted – from safe workplaces to the right to a voice on the job and in our communities.
A just economy doesn’t happen by accident – it happens when workers have the power to stand up for themselves. But in many places, that power is stripped away. Millions of workers worldwide face poverty wages, dangerous conditions and the denial of their most basic rights. When those conditions exist anywhere, they drive down standards everywhere.
Real Workers, Real Change
Every day, people wear clothes made by garment workers in Bangladesh – the same workers who just helped win a historic victory for democracy. After years of exploitation, they fought back, organizing mass strikes and demanding fair treatment. Their courage forced change, leading to the first truly democratic national election in years – proving that worker power isn’t just about wages but freedom.
Across Central America, corrupt governments and powerful elites try to silence workers who dare to organize. In too many cases, union leaders have been jailed, threatened, or even murdered. But through legal protections, advocacy and international pressure, the Solidarity Center works to keep these union freedom fighters safe – because democracy dies when workers are silenced.
And in Asia and Africa, millions of people – many of them children – are trapped in forced labor, working under brutal conditions in industries that fuel the global economy. Ending forced labor isn’t just a moral issue – it protects human rights and safeguards good jobs at home. If corporations can exploit workers with impunity overseas, they’ll do the same anywhere.
These are just a few examples of the impact of our partnerships around the world.
Why This Matters to Everyone
When workers anywhere win fair wages, safe workplaces and freedom to organize, it raises the bar for everyone. The Solidarity Center is on the ground in more than 70 countries, making sure workers are not alone – helping them stand up, organize and secure a better future for all of us.
Because solidarity isn’t charity – it’s strength. It’s how workers win. It’s how societies thrive. And it’s how we create a world where prosperity is built from the bottom up – not just the top down.