Globalization and Labor Conditions : Working Conditions and Worker Rights in a Global Economy

## Abstract This book explains how the three main mechanisms of globalization — international trade, international migration, and international capital flows — alter working conditions (particularly wages, work hours, and job safety) and labor rights (freedom of association, nondiscrimination, and the elimination of forced and child labor). An important sub-theme is the relative importance of international markets and international regulation in providing improvements in labor conditions around the world. The book presents evidence on how labor conditions changed during the late 20th-century globalization, and on how economic growth, international trade, migration, and multinational companies influence labor conditions around the world. Drawing on analyses of an international database on labor conditions prepared for this study and on numerous research studies, the book finds a general improvement in labor conditions during the late 20th century and documents the positive influence of economic development on those conditions. Chapters on the role of trade, migration, and multinational companies find that each mechanism of globalization is associated with the improvements in working conditions and with improvements in most labor rights. In contrast, the evidence does not support the view that increasing economic integration initiates an international race to the bottom that produces sweatshop labor conditions. The book also considers the influence of national and international labor regulations on working conditions and labor rights around the world. The evidence indicates that in contrast with trade, migration, and international capital flows, labor standards regulation has had a limited role in advancing labor conditions. The book concludes by showing how several policies that create opportunities for targeted worker groups show promise for supplementing the positive effects of globalization on labor conditions. "Globalization and Labor Conditions explains how the three main mechanisms of globalization - trade, international migration, and international capital flows - alter working conditions (particularly wages, work hours, and job safety) and labor rights (freedom of association, nondiscrimination, and the elimination of forced and child labor). An important subtheme is the relative importance of international markets and international regulation in providing improvements in labor conditions around the world. Robert Flanagan draws on analyses from his own database on international labor conditions assembled for this project and research on globalization and labor conditions. The book presents evidence on how conditions changed during late 20th-century globalization, and on how economic growth, international trade, migration, and multinational companies influence labor conditions."--Jacket

This book explains how three major mechanisms of globalization international trade, international migration, and the activities of multinational companies have altered working conditions and labor rights around the world during the late 20th century. Drawing on analyses of a database on international labor conditions assembled for this project and a growing research literature on globalization and labor conditions, the book finds that trade, migration, and multinational companies are associated with improvements in world labor conditions.

Introduction Labor conditions around the world Economic development and labor conditions Trade and labor conditions International migration and labor conditions Multinational corporations and labor conditions National and international labor regulation Taking stock and looking ahead.