US, July 30 -- For decades, the United States positioned itself as the global champion of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. It urged other nations to protect civil liberties, strengthen democratic institutions, and defend human rights. Today, however, America faces uncomfortable scrutiny from the international community.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), representing more than 200 million workers across 169 countries, has placed the United States on its watch list for alleged systematic violations of workers' rights. Among the concerns cited are the loss of collective bargaining rights for more than one million federal employees, weakening of labor institutions, restrictions affecting organized immigrant workers,...