Workers’ rights in 2025 are under increasing pressure, according to a new Oxfam report that highlights alarming rollbacks across the United States. The study reveals that protections for low-wage workers, families, and children are being weakened in many states, creating growing inequality between regions. For employees and advocates searching for insights into the state of workers’ rights in 2025, Oxfam’s findings provide both a wake-up call and a call to action.
Key Findings from Oxfam’s 2025 Report on Workers’ Rights
Oxfam found that 17 states have weakened child labor protections in the past year. Changes include lowering the minimum age for work, extending hours, and in some cases, removing parental consent requirements altogether. These developments come alongside federal cutbacks under the Trump administration, which Oxfam says have eroded social safety nets like Medicaid and food assistance. As Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America, explained, strong labor policies are a cornerstone of public well-being, yet 2025 has seen “a year of backsliding” for workers across the nation.
Best and Worst States for Workers in 2025
The Oxfam index ranked states by tracking 27 labor policies across wages, worker protections, and organizing rights. At the top of the list:
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Best states for workers in 2025: District of Columbia, California, Oregon, New York, and Washington.
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Worst states for workers in 2025: North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
The rankings also revealed a strong correlation—states with higher worker protections tend to report lower poverty and food insecurity, alongside higher household incomes and stronger union participation.
Women Workers Face Unequal Protections in 2025
Oxfam also published a separate ranking for women workers, underlining gender-based disparities. Oregon ranked first, followed by New York, California, D.C., and Illinois. At the bottom were Mississippi, North Carolina, Alabama, Utah, and Georgia. The report specifically flagged states like Missouri and Nebraska, where sick leave provisions were stripped back in 2025, undermining workplace protections further.
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