The 2026 Global Rights Index, released by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), referenced the incident in which the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security personnel opened fire on striking workers at the Centurion depot of Transpharm Pty.
South Africa regularly violates the rights of workers and is among the countries where violent attacks against workers have increased, according to the 2026 Global Rights Index released by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
The annual index, which ranks 151 countries based on workers’ rights protections, placed South Africa in the category of countries where government or companies regularly interfere with collective labour rights.
The index is based on 97 indicators derived from International Labour Organisation conventions and jurisprudence.
The index found that workers suffered violence in 32% of countries in 2026, up from 26% in 2025, with violent attacks increasing by 6% globally. South Africa was listed among the countries where attacks on workers increased, alongside India, Palestine and Ukraine.
