The International Labor Organization is urging Burma, Cambodia, Colombia, Iran and Zimbabwe to respect the freedom of its workers to organize.
The U.N. agency's Committee on Freedom of Association says it is troubled by the arrests of trade union leaders in Iran, Burma, and Zimbabwe.
The ILO expressed regret over Cambodia's failure to provide complete information about the murders of two trade union leaders within a four-month period. It is calling on the government to find and punish those responsible.
Regarding Colombia, the agency said numerous murders and other acts of violence against union leaders have gone unpunished in the past few years.
The ILO is urging all five governments to respect the freedom of association in law and practice.