DOCSLIB.ORG

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of LABOUR RESEARCH the Future of Work: Trade Unions in Transformation ILO the Future of Work: Trade

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of LABOUR RESEARCH the Future of Work: Trade Unions in Transformation ILO the Future of Work: Trade The future of work: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Trade unions in transformation 2019 / Volume 9 / Issue 1–2 2019 / Volume 2019 / VOLUME 9 / ISSUE 1–2 OF LABOUR RESEARCH Reflections on the world of work José Mujica Can unions revitalize themselves? Jelle Visser Precarious work: Experimenting with new forms of representation: South African labour responds Edward Webster and Kally Forrest Transformation of trade unions in Latin America: Contexts, ideas and agendas Graciela Bensusán Youth in trade unions in Africa: Toward a youth-led economic structural transformation agenda Hilma Mote Watching the watchers: Surveillance at work and notes for trade unionists Phoebe V. Moore New methods of governance for non-standard forms of work: The cases of subcontracting and digital labour platforms Guillermo Gianibelli The future of work defines the future of humanity and all living species Nora Räthzel and David Uzzell Drivers of development and transformation: A Latin American and Caribbean perspective Alicia Bárcena Women’s future at work: Gender and equality in the Ghanaian informal economy Akua O. Britwum The impact of trade and investment on labour standards in the MENA region The future of work: Ahmad M. Awad Trade unions in transformation Bridging inequalities for decent work in South Asia Pravin Sinha The future of work we want A brief summary of the ACTRAV Symposium, Geneva, 7−8 October 2019 2019 / VOLUME 9 / ISSUE 1–2 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABOUR RESEARCH The future of work: Trade unions in transformation The future of work: Trade ILO ISSN 2076-9806 The International Journal of Labour Research (IJLR) is published by the Bureau for Workers’ Activities of the ILO. A multidisciplinary journal, the IJLR is a vehicle for dissemination of international research on labour, economic, and sustainable development policies. Its target readership includes workers’ or- ganizations, practitioners researchers, labour ministries, and academics in all disciplines of relevance to ILO constituents in the world of work-industrial relations, sociology, law, economics, and political science. The IJLR is pub- lished in English, French, and Spanish, each issue focusing on a unique theme. Coordinator: Mamadou Kaba SOUARé Editorial Board: Michael WATT, Mohammed MWAMADZINGO, Ariel CASTRO, Nezam QAHOUSH, Amanda VILLATORO, Sergeyus GLOVACKAS, Anna BIONDI, Lene OLSEN, Rafael PEELS, Claire LA HOVARY Bureau for Workers’ Activities Director: Maria Helena André International Journal of Labour Research 2019 Vol. 9 Issue 1–2 The future of work: Trade unions in transformation INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE, GENEVA Copyright © International Labour Organization 2019 First published 2019 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Uni- versal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to ILO Publications (Rights and Licensing), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland, or by email: [email protected]. The International Labour Office welcomes such applications. Libraries, institutions and other users registered with a reproduction rights organization may make copies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose. Visit www.ifrro.org to find the reproduction rights organization in your country. International Journal of Labour Research Geneva, International Labour Office, 2019 ISSN 2076-9806 ISBN 978-92-2-031368-8 (print) ISBN 978-92-2-031367-1 (web pdf) ILO Cataloguing in Publication Data The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorse- ment by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. Information on ILO publications and digital products can be found at: www.ilo.org/publns. Produced by the Publications Production Unit (PRODOC) of the ILO. Graphic and typographic design, layout and composition, printing, electronic publishing and distribution. The ILO endeavours to use paper sourced from forests managed in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. Code: DTP-WEI-ICA International Journal of Labour Research 2019 Contents Vol. 9 Issue 1–2 7 Preface Maria Helena André 11 Reflections on the world of work José Mujica Excerpts from a speech by former Uruguayan President José Mujica during the ACTRAV Regional Conference on the Future of Work in Santiago, Chile, 31 May 2017, with a focus on issues surrounding globalization and workers’ cultural identity, workers’ organizations and their role as active shapers of societies. 17 Can unions revitalize themselves? Jelle Visser The ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work has called upon all relevant actors “to reinvigorate the social contract that gives working people a just share of economic progress”. Among the challenges the Commission lists for the very near future is strengthening of representation for workers in the digital economy. This article surveys some of the advances that trade unions have made in this area. It argues that for trade unions the challenge ahead is to regain the support and membership not just of workers in the platform economy, but more generally of young people and those in temporary and casual jobs. Rejuvenation of the unions has become the most pressing issue after three decades of declining union density rates and ageing of the membership, related to changes in the structure of employment, employment relations, education and patterns of work. Connecting with the world of temporary and informal work, and finding a way into the world of platform work, are crucial. Also, membership itself – its social expression and what it means in terms of obligations, rights and benefits – needs to be brought up to date. 3 International 49 Precarious work: Experimenting with new forms Journal of Labour of representation: South African labour responds Research Edward Webster and Kally Forrest 2019 Commentary on the future of work focuses on technological trends, Vol. 9 Issue 1–2 but ways of building representation amongst precarious workers are less explored. Two South African studies from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Vulnerable Workers Task Team (VWTT) and the Organisation of Informal Traders suggest that experimentation on the periphery of the labour movement is building significant agency and power. Both studies demonstrate the complex nature of precarious work, illustrated by a VWTT pamphlet where a key demand was the removal of obstacles for own-account workers to earn a living income rather than a living wage. There is a danger however that established unions, instead of opening up to experimentation and the protection of vulnerable workers, will defend only the interests of permanent workers becoming dependent on new post-apartheid labour institutions. 73 Transformation of trade unions in Latin America: Contexts, ideas and agendas Graciela Bensusán Studies on the revitalization of unions argue that they have means to confront globalization and take strategic action. The ideal would be transformation rather than eradication of traditional forms of organization and collective action, adapted to the new context. This article presents the setting within which unions must effectively represent the interests of workers in the near future; evidence of the importance of unions and collective bargaining in the reduction of social inequality; and an analysis of what a focus on revitalizing union power sources can offer, considering some Latin American examples. 89 Youth in trade unions in Africa: Toward a youth-led economic structural transformation agenda Hilma Mote This article explores some of the reasons why young people in Africa find it difficult to actively participate in trade union activities. It focuses on three questions: What are the fundamental reasons why young people remain on the margins of trade unions? What kind of strategies should be devised and actions taken to ensure a youth-inclusive future for African trade unions? How can young people drive the changes they seek in trade unions? 4 103 Watching the watchers: Surveillance at work Contents and notes for trade unionists Phoebe V. Moore “Big data” is used to train algorithms that predict talents and capabilities; monitor performance; set and assess work outputs; link workers to clients; judge states of being and emotions; provide modular training on the factory floor; look for patterns across workforces; and more. How does AI become central to this process of decision-making? In this context, what risks do workers face today in the digitalized, AI-augmented workplace? And what should unions be doing about it? 123 New methods of governance for non-standard forms of work: The cases of subcontracting and digital labour
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Phd. Student: City, Culture and Community Tulane University
    Dustin Robertson PhD. Student: City, Culture and Community [email protected] [email protected] Tulane University WORK EXPERIENCE Research Analyst Kaarak Enterprise Development Services Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi (December 2013-May 2016) Social development consulting on numerous development issues including public health, WASH, bonded labor, gender, education and corporate social responsibility (CSR) Clients: UNICEF, International Labour Organization, CARE India, Oxfam India, International Justice Mission, Institute for Reproductive Health (Georgetown University) and Free the Slaves Major contributions: Document revision, formatting and finalization for UNICEF Hyderabad and Oxfam India LANGUAGES Project management including conceptualization, data collection, messaging and evaluation for ‘Viability Study for Use of Mobile English: First Language Phones for Awareness Generation on Bonded Labour’ Research and report creation for ‘Analysis of NITI Aayog’ French: Highly Proficient Data collection, analysis and report writing for ‘E-Commerce of Reproductive Health Products : India Case Study’ Data collection, analysis and report writing on ‘Gender Baseline Study Spanish: Highly Proficient in Madhya Pradesh Nutrition Project’ Report revision of ILO’s ‘Vulnerability Assessment of Brick Kiln Workers’ in the state of Bihar Data collection, analysis and report writing for ‘Baseline Study to Assess Reading Competencies of Students in Classes 1-4 in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha’ Led study and report on health-related CSR in India Data collection,
    [Show full text]
  • NIPM Research Compendium
    Vol 1 | Issue 3 | April 2021 NIPM ISSN(PRINT) : 0970-8405 SPECIAL ISSUE ON INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS BACKBONE OF BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY Editor Dr. Santosh Vishnu Bhave (Fellow Member - NIPM) Director - HR & IR, Bharat Forge Limited, Pune (India), Pincode - 411036 Editorial Board Members Mr. Vishwesh Kulkarni National President-NIPM Dr. Santosh Vishnu Bhave (Fellow Member-NIPM), Director-HR & IR, Bhar at Forge Limited, Pune (India), Dr. Shivaji D.Mundhe Director, IIMS Chinchwad, Pune Dr. Vandana Mohanty Assistant Professor, IIMS Chinchwad, Pune Dr. Sachin Misal Assistant Professor, IIMS Chinchwad, Pune Mr. Pavan Sharma Chief Librarian, IIMS Chinchwad, Pune Mr. Sushilkumar Warkar Asst. Manager HR, Bharat Forge Ltd, Pune Mr. Parth Jadhav HR Partner, Bharat Forge Ltd, Pune Board of Reviewers Name Profession Dr. Santosh V. Bhave Director- HR & IR, Bharat Forge Ltd. (Fellow Member NIPM) Dr. Smita Singh (Dabholkar) Associate Professor HR & OB, IMT Nagpur (Life Member NIPM - Nagpur Chapter) Dr.S.R.Chandak Management Consultant (Life Member NIPM - Pune Chapter) Dr.Rajesh Jawlekar General Manager, ER, Endurance Ltd., Aurangabad (Life Member - NIPM Aurangabad Chapter) Dr. Abhijeet Shah V.P.- IR & Admin, Bharat Forge Ltd. (Life Member - NIPM - Pune Chapter) Dr. Subir Bikas Mitra Executive Director (Law & HR), GAIL (India) Limited (Life Member - NIPM - Delhi Chapter) Dr. P.R.K. Raju Director, GIET (Autonomous), Rajahmundry, AP & NC MEMBER, NIPM Dr.Shivaji Mundhe Professor and Director , International Institute of Management Science, Pune Dr. Leena Guruprasad Asst. Professor Dept. of Management Studies and Research Center, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bengaluru & Life Member NIPM, Karnataka Chapter. President, HR & Administration - Garware Polyester Ltd (Life Member - NIPM Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • India COUNTRY STARTER PACK Country Starter Pack 2 Introduction to India India at a Glance
    India COUNTRY STARTER PACK Country starter pack 2 Introduction to India India at a glance POPULATION - 2014 GNI PER CAPITA (PPP) - 2014* US$1,610 1.267 INCOME LEVEL billion Lower middle *Gross National Income (Purchasing Power Parity) World Bank GDP GROWTH 2014 CAPITAL CITY 7.2% GDP GROWTH FORECAST (IMF) New Delhi 7.4% (2015), 7.4% (2016) & 7.5% (2017) RELIGION CLIMATE CURRENCY FISCAL YEAR apr-mar HINDUS: 80%, MUSLIMS: 13%, CHRISTIANS: 2%, SIKHS: 1% Extremely diverse Indian Rupee (INR) 1 April - 31 March ARID DESERT IN THE WEST, GLACIERS IN THE NORTH, TROPICAL AND HUMID IN THE SOUTH > TIME DIFFERENCE AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS AUSTRALIAN EXPORTS EXCHANGE RATE FROM AUSTRALIA FROM INDIA (2014) TO INDIA (2014) (2015 AVERAGE) 4.5 hours A$4.31 A$10.46 (inr/AUD) behind (AEST) billion billion A$1 = INR 47.06 SURFACE AREA 3.3 MILlion Contents 1. Introduction 4 square kmS 1.1 Why India? Opportunities for Australian businesses 5 1.2 India at a glance 11 1.3 India and Australia: the bilateral relationship 18 2. Getting started in India 22 GDP 2014 2.1 What you need to consider 24 2.2 Researching India 37 2.3 Possible business structures 41 US$2.067 trillion 2.4 Manufacturing in India 46 3. Sales and marketing in India 48 3.1 Agents and distributors 50 POLITICAL STRUCTURE 3.2 Online sales 52 3.3 Direct selling 54 Constitutional 3.4 Franchising 55 3.5 Marketing 55 democratic republic 3.6 Labelling requirements 58 4. Conducting business in India 60 GENERAL BUSINESS HOURS 4.1 Indian culture and business etiquette 61 4.2 Building relationships with Indians 65 Monday to Friday 4.3 Negotiations and meetings 70 9am to 4.30pm 4.4 Due diligence and avoiding scams 74 Saturday 9am to 2pm 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Printer-Friendly Version
    Global Rights Index 2018 - Violations of trade union rights increase in Europe The results of the latest ITUC Global Rights Index 2018 are worrying. The global union confederation notes that the democratic space is shrinking across the world. Corporate greed is on the rise as protection of workers is weakened and corporations like Amazon believe they can get away with anything that stands in the way of making profits. The number of countries with arbitrary arrests and detention of workers increased from 44 in 2017 to 59 in 2018, and freedom of speech was constrained in 54 countries. The global federation notes that more countries seek to exclude workers from labour law – “from migrant workers, public sector employees to workers in platform businesses, with 65% of countries excluding whole categories of workers from labour law.” The report notes that In Europe, 58% of countries violated collective bargaining rights, and three quarters of countries violated the right to strike. Italy is one of the countries mentioned in which there is an increase of workers exposed to physical violence and threats. Kazakhstan and Turkey are among the ten worst countries for workers’ rights in 2018. Macedonia and Spain saw a worsening of their rankings with a rise in attacks on workers’ rights in law and practice. The Global Rights Index reports on annual survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights. It ranks 142 countries against 97 internationally recognised indicators to assess where workers’ rights are best protected in law and in practice. The report rates countries from one to five according to these indicators, with an overall score placing countries in rankings of one to five.
    [Show full text]
  • Trade-Union Policy Between the Wars the Case of Holidays with Pay in Britain*
    STEPHEN G. JONES TRADE-UNION POLICY BETWEEN THE WARS THE CASE OF HOLIDAYS WITH PAY IN BRITAIN* Most standard histories of Britain between the wars refer to the develop- ment of holidays with pay, albeit briefly. It is widely acknowledged that by the end of the 1930's the majority of the British working population benefited from a paid holiday. The crucial initiative, so it is claimed, was the Holidays with Pay Act of 1938, which gave Parliamentary approval to the principle of payment of wages during holidays.1 Clearly the growth of paid holidays is seen as yet another instance of a more affluent Britain, an integral element of the growth of leisure.2 However, there has been very little detailed discussion of the paid-holiday-policy option and the precise reasons for the formulation and implementation of that policy. This neglect is rather surprising given the popular support for this "fringe benefit", which was perceived as providing a certain degree of financial security during the annual break from the rigours of work. It is true that there has been more specialised treatment, but even this is of a general nature, with little reference to the industrial and political struggle for holidays with pay.3 * I would like to thank Dr M. E. Rose, Professor A. E. Musson and members of the Editorial Board for their helpful comments. 1 See C. L. Mowat, Britain Between the Wars 1918-1940 (London, 1955), p. 501; D. H. Aldcroft, The Inter-War Economy: Britain, 1919-1939 (London, 1970), p. 366; N. Branson and M.
    [Show full text]
  • Shop Steward Glossary
    The Shop Steward Glossary Canadian Labour Congress CanadianLabour.CA The Shop Steward Glossary Across-the-board adjustment Change in pay rates made for all employees in a workplace or particular group. Adjudication The equivalent to grievance arbitration; a method under the Public Service Employee Relations Act of providing a settlement of disputes arising out of the terms of any Agreement. Affiliated union A union which is a member of a group of unions. Affirmative action Affirmative action is a comprehensive strategy whose aim is to establish the same percentage of minority group members and women at all levels of the workplaces and unions as there are in the general population. Agency shop A clause in a collective agreement similar to the Rand Formula. Agreement, collective A contract (agreement and contract are interchangeable terms) between one or more unions, acting as bargaining agent, and one or more employee covering wages, hours, working conditions, fringe benefits, rights of workers and union, and procedures to be followed in settling disputes and grievances. Arbitration A method of settling disputes through the intervention of a third party whose decision is final and binding. Such a third party can be either a single arbitrator, or a board consisting of a chairperson and one or more representatives. Arbitration is often used to settle major grievances and for settling contract interpretation disputes. Voluntary arbitration is that agreed to by the parties without statutory compulsion. Compulsory arbitration is that imposed by law. Governments sometimes impose it to avoid a strike or end one. Assessments Special charges levied by unions to meet particular financial needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Trade Union Rights Worldwide
    NORD|SÜD-NETZ Trade Union Rights Worldwide Why now is the time to fight for social justice and democracy www.nord-sued-netz.de NORD|SÜD NETZ »Being inconvenient is part of the freedom of trade unions. Trade unions are only convenient when they are forced to be by right-wing or left-wing dictatorships.« Richard von Weizsäcker, Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1984 to 1994. 3 IMPRINT Publisher: DGB Bildungswerk BUND e.V. President: Elke Hannack Executive director: Claudia Meyer Creation and coordination: Valerie Franze Editorial journalist & staff: Beate Willms, Valerie Franze Translation: team parafrasis Layout & Design: schrenkwerk.de Printing: graphik-und-druck, Cologne Cover photo: Demonstrations in São Paulo against reforms planned by the Brazilian government, May 2019. Photo: Cris Faga / ZUMA Wire / picture alliance Düsseldorf 2019 first edition Düsseldorf 2020 English edition DGB Bildungswerk BUND e.V. North-South-Network Franz-Rennefeld-Weg 5, 40472 Düsseldorf, Germany Phone: +49211/4301-320, Fax: +49211/4301-69320 [email protected] www.dgb-bildungswerk.de www.dgb-bildungswerk.de/weltweit/aktuelles The DGB Bildungswerk BUND e.V. is solely responsible for the content of this publication. The positions presented here do not reflect the viewpoint of Engagement Global gGmbH and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Funded by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL with financial assistance by the 4 DGB BILDUNGSWERK BUND – NORD|SÜD NETZ Contents: Trade union rights worldwide Preface 6 Introduction
    [Show full text]
  • The 2017 ITUC Global Rights Index the WORLD's WORST
    THE WORLD'S WORST COUNTRIES FOR WORKERS The 2017 ITUC Global Rights Index | 4 The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is a confederation of national trade union centres, each of which links trade unions of that particular country. It was established on 1 November 2006, bringing together the organisations which were formerly affiliated to the ICFTU and WCL (both now dissolved) as well as a number of national trade union centres which had no international affiliation at the time. The new Confederation has 340 affiliated organisations in 163 countries and territories on all five continents, with a membership of 181 million, 40 per cent of whom are women. It is also a partner in “Global Unions” together with the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD and the Global Union Federations (GUFs) which link together national unions from a particular trade or industry at international level. The ITUC has specialised offices in a number of countries around the world, and has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The 2017 ITUC Global Rights Index | 6 Foreword .............................................9 ASIA .................................................. 70 Bangladesh ....................................... 71 Part I ..................................................13 Cambodia .......................................... 71 The 2017 Results ...............................14 China ................................................ 72 The ITUC Global Rights Index ...............19 Fiji
    [Show full text]
  • ITUC Global Rights Index WORKERS for COUNTRIES WORST WORLD's THE
    ITUC GLOBAL 2016 RIGHTS INDEX THE WORLD’S WORST COUNTRIES FOR WORKERS D/2015/11.962/9 ITUC International Trade Union Confederation 5 Bd Roi Albert II, Bte 1 – B-1210 Brussels, Belgium Tel.: + 32 2 224 02 11 – Fax: +32 2 224 02 97 E-mail: [email protected] – www.ituc-csi.org PUBLISHER RESPONSIBLE IN LAW: Sharan Burrow, General secretary INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION THE WORLD'S WORST COUNTRIES FOR WORKERS The 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index | 2 The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is a confederation of national trade union centres, each of which links trade unions of that particular country. It was established on 1 November 2006, bringing together the organisations which were formerly affiliated to the ICFTU and WCL (both now dissolved) as well as a number of national trade union centres which had no international affiliation at the time. The new Confederation has 333 affiliated organisation in 162 countries and territories on all five continents, with a membership of 180 million, 40 per cent of whom are women. It is also a partner in “Global Unions” together with the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD and the Global Union Federations (GUFs) which link together national unions from a particular trade or industry at international level. The ITUC has specialised offices in a number of countries around the world, and has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index | 4 Foreword .............................................7 Kenya .................................................62
    [Show full text]
  • Programme of Research and Action on the Development of the Labour Market : Developing Support Structure for Workers' Coopera
    DOCUMENT PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH AND ACTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LABOUR MARKET Developing support structure for workers' cooperatives COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES This document has been prepared for use within the Commission. It does not necessarily represent the Commission's official position. Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 1986 ISBN: 92-825-5888-6 Catalogue number: CB-45-85-381-EN-C Articles and texts appearing in this document may be reproduced freely in whole or in part providing their source is mentioned. Printed in Belgium Commission of the European Communities PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH AND ACTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LABOUR MARKET DeveLoping support structure for workers cooperatives by Trade Union Research Unit Ruskin College Document This document has been prepared for use within the Commission. It does not necessarily represent the Commission's official position. The research on which these reports were based was financed by the Commission of the European Communities as part of its pppgpsrøme of Research and Actions on the Development of the Labour Market . The analysis and conclusions are the responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect any views held within the Commission of the European Communities nor do they commit it to a particular view of the labour market or any other policy matters. "like slave labeur, like serf labour, hired labour is but a transitory and inferior form, destinied to disappear before associated labour plying its toil with a willing hand, a ready mind, and a joyous heart." Marx 1864 "Worker Co-operatives offer a better and higher form of organisation than either private enter• prise or nationalisation" - James Callaghan, M.P.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Issues
    Global Issues Labour Reforms in a Neo-liberal Setting: Lessons from India Anamitra Roychowdhury, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India Kingshuk Sarkar, Independent Researcher, India On 26 November 2020, ten central trade unions in India went on a nation-wide strike to protest against anti-working-class policies of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre. Their main grievances were directed towards the recently passed four labour codes and three farm laws, among others. In fact, farmers are currently holding a historic demonstration and have occupied the expressways near the nation’s capital at Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and Palwal; they plan to march into the capital on 26 January 2021. It appears then, every section of the working population is opposing the economic policies of the government, which incidentally has resulted in low to negative output growth and an unprecedented surge in open unemployment rates. Although we shall briefly discuss the resistance emerging against the farm laws, our main concern in this article is about the political roots and implications of labour law changes. The Context of New Labour Laws So what is the background to the changes in labour laws? Essentially, it springs from the neo- liberal thinking that promoting the interests of private capital (alongside withdrawal of the state from the policy arena) is the best way of managing the economy. Insofar as well-being of the people at large is concerned, it firmly believes in trickle-down economics and that “a rising tide lifts all boats”. These ideas have dominated the Indian policy circle for three decades now and over the years resulted in the state actively undertaking a number of market-oriented reforms like: (a) promoting free trade by reducing tariff rates; (b) encouraging private sector participation in essential services (such as health, education and banking); (c) creating markets in newer areas (water, infrastructure), among others.
    [Show full text]
  • If Not Us, Who?
    Dario Azzellini (Editor) If Not Us, Who? Workers worldwide against authoritarianism, fascism and dictatorship VSA: Dario Azzellini (ed.) If Not Us, Who? Global workers against authoritarianism, fascism, and dictatorships The Editor Dario Azzellini is Professor of Development Studies at the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas in Mexico, and visiting scholar at Cornell University in the USA. He has conducted research into social transformation processes for more than 25 years. His primary research interests are industrial sociol- ogy and the sociology of labour, local and workers’ self-management, and so- cial movements and protest, with a focus on South America and Europe. He has published more than 20 books, 11 films, and a multitude of academic ar- ticles, many of which have been translated into a variety of languages. Among them are Vom Protest zum sozialen Prozess: Betriebsbesetzungen und Arbei­ ten in Selbstverwaltung (VSA 2018) and The Class Strikes Back: Self­Organised Workers’ Struggles in the Twenty­First Century (Haymarket 2019). Further in- formation can be found at www.azzellini.net. Dario Azzellini (ed.) If Not Us, Who? Global workers against authoritarianism, fascism, and dictatorships A publication by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung VSA: Verlag Hamburg www.vsa-verlag.de www.rosalux.de This publication was financially supported by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung with funds from the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of the Federal Republic of Germany. The publishers are solely respon- sible for the content of this publication; the opinions presented here do not reflect the position of the funders. Translations into English: Adrian Wilding (chapter 2) Translations by Gegensatz Translation Collective: Markus Fiebig (chapter 30), Louise Pain (chapter 1/4/21/28/29, CVs, cover text) Translation copy editing: Marty Hiatt English copy editing: Marty Hiatt Proofreading and editing: Dario Azzellini This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution–Non- Commercial–NoDerivs 3.0 Germany License.
    [Show full text]