scholarly journals Trade Union Transformation and Informal Sector Organising in Uganda: The Prospects and Challenges for Promoting Labour-led Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Gerhard Schminke ◽  
Gavin Fridell
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Informal Labour

Despite celebrations from governments, corporations and international financial institutions around increasing economic growth, the majority of the world’s urban labour force continues to work under informal conditions, lacking enforceable contracts, adequate earnings, democratic representation, secure employment and social protection. The pervasiveness of informal labour globally has given rise to numerous calls to adopt a wider and more diverse understanding of what constitutes labouring classes and what is required to organise them. Our case study assesses the outcomes and effectiveness of informal sector organising in Uganda, focusing on the transportation, market and textile sectors. Drawing on Guy Standing’s distinction between “business” and “community” unions and Benjamin Selwyn’s contrasting of “capital-centred development theory” (CCDT) and “labour-led development” (LLD), we argue that community unionist approaches are most effective in addressing the decent work deficit in the informal economy. Simultaneously, the trade unions face constant barriers to successful community organising in the informal economy that cannot be easily overcome without wider changes to the structural conditions under which union organisers must operate. KEYWORDS: Trade unionism; informal labour organising; labour-centred development; Uganda; decent work

scholarly journals The employment history of day labourers in South Africa and the income they earn - A case study of day labourers in Pretoria

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
PF Blaauw ◽  
H Louw ◽  
R Schenck
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Labour Markets ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Employment History ◽  
Informal Labour ◽  
History Of ◽  
Harsh Conditions

 Formal sector unemployment forces many workers to venture into the informal sector.  The activities of day labourers are no exception.  The aim of this paper is to address the lack of research on informal labour markets by focusing on the day labourers in Pretoria as a case study and to investigate the employment history of and income earned by day labourers in Pretoria.  Day labourers involved in this study were mainly male, young, low skilled, earning low and uncertain levels of income and working under harsh conditions.  A significant portion of day labourers in Pretoria previously held formal sector occupations.  Long spells of unemployment can make it difficult for day labourers to return to the formal sector.  Many activities in the informal sector can never provide a permanent solution to unemployment. 

scholarly journals Social Conflict and Trade-Union Organisation in the Catalan Cotton Textile Industry, 1890–1914

1991 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Smith
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Textile Industry ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Cotton Textile ◽  
Textile Workers ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
General Strike

SUMMARYThe article deals with the development of Catalan cotton textile trade unionism between 1890 and 1914. It has been argued that, given the economic difficulties which faced the cotton textile industry, employers were anxious to cut labour costs and unwilling to negotiate with trade unions. Between 1889 and 1891, therefore, they launched an attack on trade-union organisation within the industry. In many rural areas they were able to impose their will with relatively little difficulty. In urban Catalonia, however, they faced stiffer opposition. The state's response to labour unrest was not uniform. Nevertheless, at crucial moments the authorities supported the mill owners' assaults on labour organisation. The result was to radicalise the cotton textile labour force. This could be seen in the growing influence of socialists and anarchists in the textile unions' ranks, and in the increasing willingness of the textile workers to use general strike tactics.

scholarly journals Remuneration policy in terms of decent work at a regional level

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-92
Author(s):  
Svitlana Tsymbaliuk ◽  
Dariusz Wyrwa ◽  
Tetiana Shkoda
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Remuneration Policy ◽  
Work Concept ◽  
Labor Remuneration

The purpose of the paper is to develop indicators and standards for assessing the remuneration policy in terms of decent work at the regional level and to approbate the developed tools for assessing the data of remuneration policy research in Kyiv region. The analysis of the labor remuneration policy at the regional level has been based on the developed indicators using case study, statistical method, comparative analysis, analogy method and content analysis. The findings have shown negative trends, in particular the inefficiency of social standards, the low level of wages, the arrears of wages, the unsatisfactory wages structure and the low level of collective-contractual regulation of remuneration. The low level of remuneration, which does not provide an expanded reproduction of the labor force, is a significant drawback in wages in Kyiv region in comparison with wages in Kyiv city, which demotivates employees and leads to migration abroad. The necessity for remuneration policy improvement based on the decent work concept has been proved. Indicators and standards can be used by regional state administrations, state authorities, trade unions, employers’ organizations for analyzing the labor remuneration policy and identifying the directions for its improvement in order to implement the decent work concept and increase the welfare of employees. Public authorities can use the developed indicators for comparing and ranking the regions and finding out the leaders in the implementation of decent work concept.

scholarly journals The ILO and Transformation of Labour Law

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-49
Author(s):  
Ulla Liukkunen
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Labour Law ◽  
Labour Rights ◽  
Contractual Arrangements ◽  
Labour Standards ◽  
International Labour Standards

Abstract The article explores some of the biggest challenges to the ILO caused by globalization and altering of the collective labour rights scene. It examines the recent transformation of collective bargaining regimes at national and transnational level and the consequences for normativities that characterize the relationship between labour law and the system of international labour standards. Domestic bargaining regimes are influenced by decentralization whereas in a transnational setting, with the phenomena of contractual arrangements between multinational enterprises and trade unions or other employee representatives, transnational collectivization of labour law is occurring. The process of transnationalization of labour law affects the traditional labour law paradigm with profound consequences for our understanding of the purpose and role of labour law. The transformation of labour law highlights regulatory developments that require reinforcement of the role of fundamental labour rights. Building a perspective on major global challenges to the ILO at the beginning of its second centenary requires an assessment of the labour question in terms of flexibility and vulnerabilities. This raises the question of inclusivity, calling for the ILO decent work agenda, employment creation, social protection, rights at work and social dialogue, all to be more firmly integrated in global regulatory approaches to work.

scholarly journals Informal Economy and Poverty in Urban Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
Dipak Bahadur Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Active Population ◽  
Employment Education

Informal sector plays a crucial role in employing a significant part of the economically active population of Nepal. The Nepal Labour Force Survey(NLFS) - 2017/18 has estimated around 62 percent of people to be currently employed in the informal sector. It is estimated that there are 84.6 percent of the currently employed who are informally employed in all industries as compare to formal employment 15.4 percent in Nepal. Employment is the main source of income of poor people which is still considered to be the most effective vehicle to take them out of poverty. People of rural areas are gradually coming to urban areas. So, economic growth and structural changes are increasingly linked to urbanization process. More people will live in urban settlements than in rural areas. Metropolitan cities of Nepal like Lalitpur can offer the lure of better employment, education, and healthcare and they also contribute disproportionately to the economy of the country. However, rapid urban expansion is often associated with poverty and rapid growth of informal sector urban area.

Conclusion

2019 ◽  
pp. 163-180
Author(s):  
Nicoli Nattrass ◽  
Jeremy Seekings
Keyword(s):  
Social Protection ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Extreme Case ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Agricultural Employment ◽  
Poverty And Inequality

Chapter 8 considers the challenge of moving towards inclusive dualism for surplus labour countries. In such countries, decent work fundamentalism threatens to perpetuate or worsen poverty and inequality. As the extreme case of South Africa’s clothing manufacturing sector shows, decent work fundamentalism not only impedes job creation but it also destroys jobs. Decent work fundamentalism is a threat not just across Southern Africa and in other parts of the world where open unemployment is very high. It is also a threat across much of Africa, where unemployment rates have already risen and are predicted to continue to rise, especially amongst young people. Given the rapid growth of the labour force and the inability of agriculture to absorb more workers, most African countries need to expand urgently non-agricultural employment in labour-intensive sectors (including clothing manufacturing). Strengthening the safety net of social protection (through cash transfers and public works programmes) can mitigate poverty, but is unlikely to be any substitute for labour-intensive development.

scholarly journals Decent Work and Social Protection in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-97
Author(s):  
Mônica A. Haddad ◽  
Joshua Hellyer
Keyword(s):  
Social Protection ◽  
Conditional Cash Transfer ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Transfer Program ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bolsa Familia ◽  
Conditional Cash Transfer Program ◽  
Belo Horizonte

This article examines how beneficiaries of Brazil’s Bolsa Família (BFP) conditional cash transfer program find employment in a Brazilian municipality and assesses their participation in decent work. Using Belo Horizonte as a case study, researchers conducted a survey of BFP recipients. The article compares responses of informally and formally employed workers to assess how their employment meets the criteria of the decent work agenda. Results indicate no significant difference between perceptions of formal and informal employees concerning discrimination and poor working conditions. Findings lead to recommendations about formalization of employment, coordination with existing job training programs, child care, and transportation.

scholarly journals Transforming informal work and livelihoods in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Shu-Ming Lin ◽  
Linxiang Ye ◽  
Wei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Urban Migrants ◽  
Chinese Workers ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Formal And Informal Sectors ◽  
Populous Country

The informal sector has long been viewed as a locus of the disadvantaged, unskilled, and inexperienced workers in under-developed and developing economies. Workers in the informal sector, however, can learn skills and gain experience that could help them switch to better-paying jobs in the formal sector. But evidence of this is limited. China constitutes an important case study because it is the most populous country and has the largest labour force, consisting of over 290 million rural-to-urban migrants whose employment is mostly informal. Using three waves of nationally representative household surveys from 2014 to 2018, we study how the livelihoods of Chinese workers change when transitioning to different work statuses within or between formal and informal sectors. Our results show that transitioning jobs from the informal to the formal sector and from the self-employed to the wage-employed increases earnings, which improves the livelihoods of Chinese workers.

scholarly journals Achieving "decent work" in South Africa?

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Tamara Cohen ◽  
Luendree Moodley
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
National Development ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
International Labour Organisation ◽  
Social Dialogue ◽  
Productive Work ◽  
The Creation

The fundamental goal of the International Labour Organisation is the achievement of decent and productive work for both women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The South African government has pledged its commitment to the attainment of decent work and sustainable livelihoods for all workers and has undertaken to mainstream decent work imperatives into national development strategies.  The four strategic objectives of decent work as identified by the ILO are: i) the promotion of standards and rights at work, to ensure that worker's constitutionally protected rights to dignity, equality and fair labour practices, amongst others, are safeguarded by appropriate legal frameworks; (ii) the promotion of employment creation and income opportunities, with the goal being not just the creation of jobs but the creation of jobs of acceptable quality; (iii) the provision and improvement of social protection and social security, which are regarded as fundamental to the alleviation of poverty, inequality and the burden of care responsibilities; and (iv) the promotion of social dialogue and tripartism. This article considers the progress made towards the attainment of these decent work objectives in South Africa, using five statistical indicators to measure such progress namely: (i) employment opportunities; (ii) adequate earnings and productive work; (iii) stability and security of work; (iv) social protection; and (v) social dialogue and workplace relations. It concludes that high levels of unemployment and a weakened economy in South Africa have given rise to a growing informal sector and an increase in unacceptable working conditions and exploitation. The rights of workers in the formal sector have not filtered down to those in the informal sector, who remains vulnerable and unrepresented. Job creation initiatives have been undermined by the global recession and infrastructural shortcomings and ambitious governmental targets appear to be unachievable, with youth unemployment levels and gender inequalities remaining of grave concern. Social protection programmes fail to provide adequate coverage to the majority of the economically active population. Social dialogue processes and organisational structures fail to accommodate or represent the interests of the informal sector. Until these problems are overcome, the article concludes, it remains unlikely that decent work imperatives will be attained.

scholarly journals Regards croisés et contacts entre syndicalistes français et allemands (1945-1962)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Sylvain SCHIRMANN
Keyword(s):  
World War I ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
World War ◽  
Interregional Trade ◽  
German Trade ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Innovative Thinking ◽  
European Trade

The animosity which often prevails among French and German trade unionists in the wake of World War I disappears in the aftermath of the Second conflict. The meetings are more numerous, certain positions converge and the demands related to specific workforces often meet. Despite this, the two union worlds find it hard to understand each other. French and German union models seek to adapt to the evolution of capitalism. Undeniably German trade unionism seems to have better coped with this transformation. His weight, influence and co-management allowed him to achieve the highest standard of living for German labour forces, and gave them often better social protection in comparison with their French or British counterparts. Divided, folded over ideological identities and marked by the strategies of confrontation, French trade unionism has obviously greater difficulties. Favourable developments can be seen, however. The number of union members for instance is increasing and innovative thinking is emerging. European integration represents a challenge for these organizations, even if most of the organizations are in favour of it. It obliges trade unionists (as well as politicians, senior civil servants etc.) to take new approaches. Due to the contacts generated between French and German unionists, this period 1945-1962 prepares the two major developments of trade unionism during the next decade: the birth of a European trade unions’ confederation and that of the first Interregional Trade Union Council on Lorraine, Saarland and Luxembourg-level. Contacts and crossed views between French and German trade unionists were thus essential to establish a Europe of trade unions.

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