Despite an overall positive trend, linked to the spread of democracy, high rates of ratification of fundamental international labour standards, and increased transparency in global markets, the Report reveals that there are still serious problems. Violations of freedom of association rights of both employers and workers persist in different forms, including murder, violence, detention and refusal to allow organizations the legal right to exist and function. The Report focuses on specific groups of workers and the barriers they face in organizing, such as public sector employees, agricultural workers, workers in export processing zones, migrant workers and domestic workers. Collective bargaining and changes in the world of work due to globalization are also discussed, as well as efforts by the ILO and others to encourage progress, raise awareness and meet the current challenges. freedom of association and collective bargaining, with emphasis on systematic data collection and analyses of the legal and practical obstacles that exist. More importantly, the Report stresses that the real question is not whether to respect, realize and promote these rights, but how best to go about it.