Abstract
Worker rights advocates in labor unions, human rights groups, and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have played an increasingly important role in promoting internationally established fair labor standards as a factor in international trade. Particularly in the United States, recent developments have widened the scope for action on labor rights in a transnational economy. Advocates of international fair labor standards have challenged the traditional right of countries to address their labor laws and labor relations as solely internal matters. They have sought to constrain the right of multinational corporations to implement labor policies based solely upon the laws of each nation where they operate, especially where laws are designed to repress rather than protect workers, and provide a competitive edge in international trade.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Teunissen, H.J.J. (1986). Recommendation on minimum international labor standards. The American Journal of International Law, 80, 4, 385.
Schlossberg, S. I. (1989). United States participation in the ILO: redefining the role. Comparative Labor Law Journal, 11, 48–49, 57–58.
Fields, G.S. (1990). Labor standards, economic developments and international trade. In S. Herzenberg & J. F. Perez-Lopez (Eds.), Labor Standards and Developments in the Global Economy (pp. 19, 31–32). Washington: U.S. Department of Labor.
See Benz v. Compania Naviera Hidalgo, S.A., 353 U.S. 138, 143-44 (1957), (declaring that United States labor law is concerned with industrial strife between American employers and employees.)
See Schoenberger, K. (1992). The model here isn’t America. Los Angeles Times, 1, 30, A-1, quoting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed’s statement to a group of American businessmen that “the hedonistic materialism of present (Western) models (of developments) is not for us.” See also Lewis, P. (1993). Splits may dampen rights conference; some standards don’t apply to third world, it says. New York Times, 6, 6, at A 1, A 14.
International union report places U.S. among violators of basic rights. (1993). Labor Relations Week, 7, 5, 5, 441.
International unions accuse Food Lion of unfair practices in United States. (1993). Labor Relations Week, 7, 6, 16, 577–578.
See Bilder, R.B. (1992). (2nd ed.). An overview of international human rights law. In Hannum, H. (Ed.), Guide to International Human Rights Practices. New York: The Free Press.
Child labour abuse must stop, says government. (1995). Bangkok Post, 1, 14.
Ministry focuses on plight of labourers. (1995). Bangkok Post, 2, 24, 6.
Sukpanich, T. (1994). Call for action on labour, health and safety. Bangkok Post, 5, 1.
ICFTU aims tough blow at Thailand. (1991). Bangkok Post, 7, 2, 1.
U.S. trade threat targets Thai labour standards. (1993). Bangkok Post, 11, 29, 21.
Children’s day-labour issues. (1995). Bangkok Post, 1, 15.
Dollah, S. R. ASEAN raps linkage of workers rights with WTO. (1994). Japan Economic Newswire, 7, 21.
Rights activists get cold reception. (1994). Bangkok Post, 7, 26.
Thailand slams west for linking workers’ rights, trade. (1994). Japan Economic Newswire, 7, 22.
Soh, F. (1995). ILO dismisses cheap imports lead to losses claim. The Straits Times (Singapore), 3, 9, 3.
How the GSP system affects Thailand. (1994). Bangkok Post, 9, 5, 23.
Tougher rules on jobs agencies. (1993). Bangkok Post, 8, 5, 21.
Thai workers in Japan face hardship. (1994). Bangkok Post, 4, 16, 6.
Illness, suicide claim lives of 30 Thais in Japan. (1994). Bangkok Post, 5, 29, 1.
Governments urged to sign rights convention. (1995). Bangkok Post, 2, 6, 6.
Labour shortage boon for Thai workers. (1990). Bangkok Post, 6, 4, 16.
Thai government says it is trying to end flood of illegal workers. (1994). China Economic News Service, 3, 5.
CLA’s threat of a freeze puts squeeze on Thai government. (1994). China Economic News Service, 3, 10.
Top labour official to face probe over “mismanagement.” (1994). Bangkok Post, 7, 2, 6.
Service fees for sending Thais to Taiwan. (1994). Bangkok Post, 4, 8, 6.
Labour officials accused of graft. (1994). Bangkok Post, 5, 25.
SUNDS still killing Thais in Singapore. (1994). Bangkok Post, 6, 11.
Vatona blasts Thai “champagne” envoy. (1990). Bangkok Post, 4, 20.
Groups seek funds from ministry. (1994). Bangkok Post, 5, 8.
Foreign workers needed in Thai textile industry. (1995). Xinhua News Agency, 6, 5.
References
Macek, P. (1994). Boom or bust? The heavy price of Thailand’s economic development. Swords & Ploughshares: A Chronicle of International Affairs, 3, 2.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
(1997). International Developments. In: Worker Rights and Labor Standards in Asia’s Four New Tigers. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-34649-6_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-34649-6_15
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-306-45477-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-585-34649-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive