International Labor Standards

by Flanagan, Robert J.; Gould, William B.

• ISBN13: 9780804746908
• ISBN10: 0804746907
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-09-01
• Publisher: Stanford Law & Politics

Summary

In this age of globalization, countries and corporations are under increasing pressure to adopt and follow international labor standards. This book provides the most thorough empirical assessment to date of the impact of international regulation on labor standards and conditions, and critically analyzes the common race-to-the-bottom view that globalization and international competition can only further degrade labor standards. The authors examine current standards and regulations, along with recent proposals to compel developing countries to adopt labor standards. They also consider other mechanisms for advancing labor conditions, such as lowering barriers to migration, increasing foreign aid, and encouraging more rapid economic growth. In addition, the book presents a complete description and appraisal of current voluntary corporate codes of conduct, and concludes with a detailed evaluation of the change in labor conditions in Mexico since the adoption of more open trade policies in 1986.

Author Biography

Robert J. Flanagan is the Konosuke Matsushita Professor of International Labor Economics and Policy Analysis at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford Univerisity. William B. Gould IV is the Charles A. Beardsley Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and Former Chairman of the U.S. National Labor Relations Board.

Table of Contents

CONTRIBUTORS	vii
Introduction	1	(14)
ROBERT J. FLANAGAN AND WILLIAM B. GOULD IV
Labor Standards and International Competitive Advantage	15	(46)
ROBERT J. FLANAGAN
International Labor Standards and Decent Work: Perspectives from the Developing World	61	(20)
GARY S. FIELDS
Labor Law for a Global Economy: The Uneasy Case for International Labor Standards	81	(48)
WILLIAM B. GOULD IV
Why International Labor Standards?	129	(50)
SARAH H. CLEVELAND
"Form Follows Function": Formulations of International Labor Standards-Treaties, Codes, Soft Law, Trade Agreements	179	(28)
VIRGINIA A. LEARY
Can Codes of Conduct Play a Role in Promoting Workers' Rights?	207	(20)
MICHAEL POSNER AND JUSTINE NOLAN
Free Trade and Labor Relations in México	227	(34)
ENRIQUE DE LA GARZA TOLEDO
INDEX	261