Abstract This paper evaluates the International Standards Organization (ISO). It considers the ISO's history, purpose and evolution of the organization. The paper also discusses benefits for countries, companies and individuals of international standards.
Abstract This paper discusses how the national labor movement of Japan has traditionally been controlled by the nation's political factions. The writer describes the plight of Japanese workers in modern times, as labor unions that served the needs of management rather than the workers were created. The writer also discusses the rise of a national labororganization called Rengo in the 1990s in response to the control of the employee unions by political factions. However, the political entities within the nation reacted by creating a "union" that sought to end the efforts of the national labor movement and force the maintenance of policies that were intended to continue to oppress the workers of Japan.
From the Paper "According to Oaks "Japanese workers have failed to achieve labor rights that are standard fare throughout the developed world" (para. 4). In the 1980s it was evident that workers in Japan were faced with 46-48 hour days with no benefits, such as sick leave and a social security system for their retirement (Oaks para. 5). Oaks reported that regardless of the fact that the salaries that Japanese workers earned were comparable to workers in the United States, the ability of the Japanese worker to provide for his family was more difficult because of the increased cost of living (para. 6). The labor movement in Japan has continuously fought for worker rights that would address these problems. However, even when the government or political realm agrees to make changes to policy, those changes are generally masked by conditions of change that alleviate the actual policy from making a difference."
Tags: unrest productivity profit, InternationalLaborOrganization, law industry
This paper discusses the InternationalLaborOrganization (ILO): Creation in 1919, protection of workers' rights, evolution, structure, membership and functions.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 7 sources, 1995, $ 47.95
From the Paper "The International Labor Organization (ILO) was created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 as part of the overall system for peace that included the ill-fated League of Nations, and the ILO is the only feature of that peacemaking program to survive. The purpose of the organization was to improve living and working conditions for workers worldwide. It should be seen as part of the global community, the community of nations around the world seeking an improvement in social and economic justice for their peoples. The primary instrument by which the ILO attacks this problem is the International Labor Code, standards which have formed the basis for many social and labor laws in most of the countries that have gained their independence since 1919. The ILO consists of three parts. The first part of the structure of the ILO is the International Labor Conference, which convenes ... "
Abstract The InternationalLaborOrganization estimates that there are at least 250 million working children between the ages of five and fourteen in developing countries. About half of them work full-time. This paper examines the arguments for and against child labor. Those in favor of child labor state that the income that these children bring in, usually save their families from starvation. They also argue that trade restrictions will only harm families these countries by limiting their income and slowing their development. The paper shows that those who argue against child labor state reasons such as the risk to the child's health and well-being, the fact that the child's educational possibilities are stunted and various forms of child abuse.
From the Paper "Conservative concerns that developing countries are just too poor to do anything about child abuse are inane. Even if their beliefs were true, there's simply no economic justification for exposing children to life-threatening working conditions, abuse, slavery, and situations that cause irreversible harm to their physical development. Child labor only perpetuates poverty for the child as well as the country. Because developing countries are in a better position than developed countries were in when they began implementing child labor regulations, preventing "hazardous child labor" is really about a decision and commitment by developed and developing countries to place more value on the child's life. Government intervention through the creation and enforcement of laws is needed, not waiting for free trade to somehow magically convert unethical business people into humanitarians."
This paper analyzes the impact of 'globalization' on labor conditions in third world countries in reference to the work of the World Bank, the InternationalLaborOrganization and 'anti-sweatshop' campaigners.
Abstract This paper examines how global economic forces enable sections of third world society to be more easily exploited. It investigates how the first world does not play on a level playing field by using the Multi-Fibre Agreement. The views of protesters, the World Bank, and others are reviewed. The paper ends by touching upon future developments, such as the impact of China becoming a full member of the World Trade Organization.
From the Paper "During the past three decades, remarkable internationalisation of the world economy has taken place. This process has become known as globalisation. Globalisation can be defined as "The increasing integration of national economies into expanding international markets" (Todaro: 1997). Neo-liberal authors and institutions, such as the IMF, state that globalisation is driven by four main factors; free market ideology; technological breakthroughs in communication; the shifting of economic activity to the developing world; and the opening up of previously closed borders. These factors of globalisation have inevitably led to changes in conditions of labour in third world employment. Here we will look at what the changes have been. We will then examine the views taken on these conditions by 'anti-sweatshop' campaigners, and the response of the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank."
Abstract The paper relates that Amnesty International encourages global organizations to establish human rights practices and also exerts influence on governments to ensure these practices are followed through. The paper looks at the measures that have been put into place to enforce human rights, and notes that the worst violations are forced labor and child labor. The paper also discusses how corporations who market their products as sustaining human rights and ethical guidelines improve the equity of their brand and the perception of the company.
Outline:
Introduction
The Global Now
Measures Against Human Rights Violations
Unacceptable Violations
Modern InternationalLabor Regulation
Global Corporate Marketing
From the Paper "The world has been advancing at an incredible pace, with the last century having served to knit the world together into a tight web of commerce. As the world of business has gone global, the rule of law and effect of regulations has become in an issue, in that each country has a different set of rules. Within some countries such practices as child labor, over-working, and under-paying, are common, and when there are no rules to prevent and regulate these processes, exploitation and other human rights violations occur. In order to discern which country's rules to use when conducting international business mutual agreement must be present, but beyond that, there is an ethical obligation."
Abstract This paper analyzes existing internationallabor laws and discusses these laws in the contexts of globalization. Some of the issues covered in this essay include international trade agreements and their impact on labor standards, international laws regarding unions and worker rights, as well as economic contexts of capitalism and imperialism. This paper also offers strategic solutions for internationallabor laws as a way to anticipate the problems of labor and globalization.
Abstract This paper discusses what factors first gave rise to internationallabor rights and internationallabor laws, pointing out that they first came to universal light in the modern era in the context of rapacious multinational corporations (MNCs) that were achieving impossible gains in efficiency at the expense of foreign labor during the 1970s and 1980s. Thus, Americans and consumers from other leading Western economies began to realize their fashion apparel was fabricated, literally, at the expense of someone else's blood, sweat, and tears. The paper also discusses the emergence of labor standards and their implementation as more than just a way of promoting economic growth. They also emerged as a new and important area of concern for socially responsible investors, especially in the "problematic" footwear, apparel, and toy industries. For most investors involved with this issue, the fundamental matter of concern is the protection of human rights in the workplace.
Abstract This paper discusses the positive and negative lessons that history can provide to today's unions and trade unions in Canada. It describes the influence that the state and the nature of the economy have on labor and labororganizations and their activities. The paper also discusses trade unions and their role, as well as other developments in the history of the labor movement. Finally the paper looks at fthe ree market economy and its implications in increasing job insecurity and wage and benefit rollbacks.
From the Paper "Free market economy increased job insecurity and wage and benefit rollbacks and continues to be the basis of today's economy in Canada. The labor movement of today is faced with these challenges as well as the relocation and closing down of many industrial plants and factories all over Canada. Also, today Canada's labor movement needs to have a broader agenda as it faces with all the challenges of the global economy as well as the effects of the decline of state intervention within the context of this new global economy. It also needs to recognize the cultural, social and ethnic diversity that makes up the Canadian workforce today. Additionally it has to become concerned with the status of part-time and temporary employees whose number is increasing steadily, as many employers are cutting out full-time jobs with full benefits."
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that collective bargaining is a process by which wages, hours, rules and working conditions are negotiated and agreed upon by a labor union with an employer for all the employees collectively, which it represents. The writer discusses the matter of labor relations and collective bargaining. The writer notes that starting out as benevolent associations, which were ineffective in negotiating their work conditions with employers, labororganizations were empowered only after the passage of the Wagner Act in 1935. The writer concludes that, today, human relations officers and other experts know that unions are basic in certain industries and they must do their part in the negotiation table. Additionally, the writer concludes that company negotiating teams realize the value of developing a sincere, open and trusting relationship with the union representative, of keeping its word or commitment, of listening to the other side's concerns with sincerity and showing respect towards union representatives and employees in their dealings.
From the Paper "During unstable times in the 1800s, there was a clamor for the benevolent function of labor organizations as services and as a mechanism to keep the unions strong and stable. Benevolent associations evolved into effective bargaining agents, which mostly formed around a craft, like cigar making and carpentry. These associations generally administered or organized their own funds. Their services were important in gathering membership in labor organizations, which later became unions. Before the Wagner Act of 1935, organized labor was not too successful in bargaining for higher wages and fewer hours of work, as employers then had the upper hand in dealing with unions. Employers were not obliged to recognize unions or to bargain with them. Labor organizations of the 19th and 20th centuries confront membership problems precisely because of their lack of effectiveness as bargaining agents. Workers did not see it worthwhile to become members and pay union dues. Some even feared losing their jobs when jobs were scarce. It was the mutual-type of benefits, which kept members in a union. The death and pension benefits it offered strongly enticed membership despite its ineffectiveness in negotiating higher wages and fewer hours. Many of these associations became unions, which began to discuss wages, hours and the workplace within their structure."
Abstract This essay examines and analyzes international relief organization responses to natural disasters, focusing particularly upon the recent earthquake in Turkey and how effective the response was. The essay concludes with suggested solutions to the problems involved in coordinating disaster relief.
Abstract This paper explains that the "new" theory of international trade is based on the industrial organization approach, which focuses on market shares between domestic and foreign firms; a gain for the domestic firm in a country directly reciprocates a loss for the foreign firm or country. The author points out that U.S. companies participate in business in different countries, not only for cheap labor, but also because they work to integrate their corporate codes of conduct into their Latin American operations.The paper stresses that standards, technical regulations, and certification systems are important for the functioning of economies and trade because various government technical regulations and standards can serve as barriers to international trade.
Table of Contents
International Trade Promoting Economic Growth in APEC
International Trade and Investment in America
Introduction
The U.S. Companies Business Pursuits Bringing Positive Change to Latin America
The U.S. Companies Business Pursuits Bringing Positive Change to China
New WTO Trade Negotiations to Boost the Economy
Improving Economy with Trade Negotiations
Economic Integration and Regionalism
Trade Facilitation, Regulatory Reform, and Standards
From the Paper "In the year 200, The Leaders meeting, the Ministerial meetings, and the CEO Summit in Los Cabos were held to find ways of creating opportunities, updating, and sharpening the vision of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum for the future. People who participated in this meeting spent a lot of time in preparing for them. The CEO's of three leading organizations of business in North America prepared a Joint Statement on how APEC can cater to provide global leadership and find ways of supporting greater economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. In implementing the same policy, the NAFTA has been extremely successful especially, since the economic partners at different levels of development have been able to attain higher levels in growth, trade, and creating jobs. This is why NAFTA has served to be an example for APEC when it comes to its future strategies and implementation action."
Abstract The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a federation of autonomous labor unions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and U.S. dependencies, was formed in 1955 by the merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). This paper traces the history of the AFL-CIO, including the events that led up to the 1955 merger. It also discusses the organization's political leanings, operations, and presidents.
From the Paper "From the start of Kirkland's term, the AFL-CIO was forced to adapt to a number of adverse economic trends. Union membership dropped from 33% of all U.S. workers in 1960 to 14% in the late 1990s. To shore up organized labor's declining influence, the AFL-CIO concentrated on organizing service workers and public employees and improving labor unity. In 1981 the UAW rejoined the union; the Teamsters (1988) and United Mine Workers (1989) later followed."
Abstract This paper examines the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest association of organizedlabor in the United States. The paper looks at the key issues of the organization, such as its attempt to influence politics, its position on Iraq, its focus on civil rights, its stance on immigration and its role as an umbrella organization. The paper discusses the organization's methods to achieve its goals and notes the challenges it faces in the future.
From the Paper "The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the largest association of organized labor in the United States, representing roughly 13 million of the country's estimated 16.4 million union members. It is an umbrella organization, consisting of 86 different national and international unions, and has members employed in virtually every field (Ness, 2002, p. 359). With its mission to "unify the diverse interests of organized labor into a single voice," the AFL-CIO coordinates its national program on a state and local level through state and regional branches of the organization. They have 50 state federations of labor and more than 600 central labor councils. These organizations formulate national policy and coordinate state and regional activities (Ness, 2002, p. 361). The union itself is headed by the President and the Executive Council."
Abstract This paper begins with a general explanation of international trade and why it is an important part of any economy. The paper then looks at the trade ties between the U.S. and China, looking at the various issues, including laws, labor costs, human rights, and transport. The paper then looks at the trade agreements with Mexico, one of America's closest neighbors. This is followed by an overview of the trade ties between America and France, and finally, that of Ghana and the U.S.
From the Paper "In the 1980s, China tried to base its economy on central planning with market economy in an attempt to raise productivity output, living standards, and technological quality without giving rise to inflation, unemployment, and budget deficits. China was successful in developing agricultural reforms, after finishing communism and allowing a system that used a household-based system providing laborers with more decision-making authority in agricultural activities. The Chinese government took active part to encourage nonagricultural activities in rural areas."
