The implementation of International Labour Standards is designed to improve the lives, rights and security of people around the world. In today’s globalized economy international labour standards are seen as essential in ensuring that economic growth provides benefits to all people and to put a stop against bad working conditions and pay.
However there seems to be an issue for these global conditions to actually reach certain groups of people, including those who need it the most. These standards look great on the outside however on the inside they are just empty promises for those workers who are in need of them most. They help the stable workers while the casual and contract workers in poorer countries are left uncovered by unions and on the outside of these standards, left untouched and vulnerable.
So it seems that these standards are helping the secure workers and making their conditions better, however failing to reach those who actually need it most. If these regulations aren't fulfilling their main goal of equalizing workforce conditions than what is the point of these standards in the first place? There needs to be stricter rules on the chains of production making sure all workers involved in this are covered and not just the first line of contact. The workers who are missing out are most likely not even educated about what conditions they deserve and will continue to be left out of the equation until these laws are reinforced in the correct way, not just on the surface to look like they are doing a good job. We need to stop the drift between stable workers and those left vulnerable, and amend these standards to address all groups in need.
Great Blog Olivia :) I agree with your points in saying that despite unions existing there are workers who have limited access to unions or even the power of bargaining for their working conditions and rights. For example, the garment production in poorer countries does provide needed investment and employment, but this is mitigated by the competitive requirement “for poorer countries to offer the cheapest workers and the most flexible (unregulated) conditions”. With the evolvement of the garment industry, this required workers to seek their rights. Alone they could not speak out so joined a union, greater number provides bigger voice. There are numerous unions in India for example but there are numerous problems and weaknesses. Unions in India are not regulated like many unions in the Global North. Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) is a grassroots union that organizes and fights for the rights of garment workers but you still have workers who are exploited (this can be found in the article below) . In saying this I agree with you that there are empty promises for workers especially in the Global South and these working conditions really need to be improved for all.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/25/india-clothing-workers-slave-wages