Dimensions of Workers' Right to Rest and Leisure in International Instruments

As “work” is a creative, productive and transformative act, leisure activities are also an individual’s relatively spontaneous and free activity to self-recreation, self-expression and self-recovery. Several components such as reasonable working time, a specific time for rest, periodic leave, and vacations and holidays will enable workers to leisure from working and as well as  guarantee their health, safety and efficiency. International human rights law focuses on this issue and recognizes rest and leisure as a human right as provided in some universal and regional instruments. Article 24 of universal declaration of human rights and article 7 of International Covenant on Economic, Social And Cultural Rights are seen as the most important sources for this purpose. This right of the worker and the obligation of states to guarantee this right for workers ensures their human dignity. This paper analyzes the requirements of the right to rest and leisure  and examines the obligations of states to realize and ensure this right for workers.