Experiments in transforming the global workplace: incentives for and impediments to improving workplace conditions in China.
This article highlights current economic conditions in China and analyzes existing obstacles to improving workplace conditions and labor practices. There are significant disincentives to strengthening workplace protections, and downward pressures are currently worsening conditions in a number of economic sectors. However, there are also potential strategies for motivating multinational corporations (MNCs) and Chinese government agencies to improve workplace conditions and to implement international and national laws and corporate codes of conduct. Four key principles are discussed that hold promise for creating incentives and sustainable mechanisms to improve factory conditions: transparency, verification, and accountability for MNCs and Chinese government agencies, and greatly strengthening worker participation.
O'Rourke
Dara
D
Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA. orourke@nature.berkeley.edu
Brown
Garrett D
GD
D002681:China; D003256:Community Participation; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D038622:Internationality; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017132:Workplace / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards