The History and Political Economy of International Labor Standards

Engerman, Stanley L.

doi:10.1002/9780470754818.ch1

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Engerman (2003) attributes the beginning of this movement to the writings of the early nineteenth century socialist Robert Owen. Several conferences on labor standards were held throughout Europe in the mid-to late 19th century but achieved little success.…”

Section: A Brief History Of International Labor Standardsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Prior to World War I these agreements were almost exclusively related to migrant labor. Only one involved the harmonization of a labor standard between countries (Engerman 2003). A coordinated international labor standards movement did not begin until the formation of the International Labour Organization in 1919.…”

Section: A Brief History Of International Labor Standardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Good for the Goose, Bad for the Gander: International Labor Standards and Comparative Development

Hall

Leeson

2007

J Labor Res

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Section: A Brief History Of International Labor Standardsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: A Brief History Of International Labor Standardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Good for the Goose, Bad for the Gander: International Labor Standards and Comparative Development

Hall

Leeson

2007

J Labor Res

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“…As discussed in Engerman (2003), there were concerns about the costs that a country would have to face if it unilaterally set standards for itself and the resulting loss in competitiveness; some also argued in favor of international demonstrates that this result arises from second-best considerations (adjusting the stringency of standards serves as a proxy for a tariff), and that the first-best optimum is characterized by diversity of standards. Since the Maastricht Treaty retained the provisions in previous treaties, members were still in control of their own right to pay, right to association, and right to strike or impose lockouts.…”

Section: Labor Standards In the European Union -A Brief Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Labor Standards and Economic Integration in the European Union: an Empirical Analysis

Dehejia

Samy

2008

Journal of Economic Integration

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Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. This study is motivated by frequent calls to harmonize labor standards across countries, which result from the fear that economic integration (and the accompanying liberalization of trade flows) will lead to an erosion of working conditions, as countries deliberately try to reduce labor standards in order to maintain competitiveness. We examine the linkages between labor standards and economic integration in the European Union (EU) and, in particular, investigate the following questions. First, whether the conventional wisdom that labor standards are important determinants of trade performance holds, and second whether there has been a "race to the bottom" of standards across countries with deeper integration. We follow a neoclassical factor-proportions framework to conduct our empirical investigation, and unlike previous studies, which rely mostly on cross-sectional data, we use a fully-fledged panel data set to explore the relationship between labor standards and export performance. Our estimates based on data for the period 1980-2001 for EU-15 countries provides mixed evidence regarding the conventional wisdom, and we find that trade performance is largely based on factor endowments. We also find mixed evidence for "σ-convergence" in labor standards. Furthermore, and on a more pragmatic note, the EU has been in existence for enough years: the availability of reliable data, both cross-section and time series, makes empirical analysis possible. Regarding labor standards themselves, the EU has traditionally tried to ensure a "decent" working environment throughout member countries, by setting some common minimum rules on working conditions, and promoting a safe and healthy work environment, but leaving some room for preservation of policy independence and diversity (Gitterman 2003). Terms of use: Documents in EconStor mayIn this paper, we follow the OECD (1996) and define labor standards as norms, rules and conventions that govern working conditions and industrial relations. Such a definition captures all the institutional elements of labor markets such as minimum wages, occupational health and safety standards, number of hours worked, rates of occupational injuries, and unionization rates. 2 One would presumably expect labor standards to be a driven by both a country's level of development and its respect for international conventions defined by the ILO that it has ratified. Ultimately, the choice of a particular standard is a domestic policy choice, whi...

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“…2 See in particular the 1818 writings of Robert Owen (Engerman, 2001). 3 Specifics concerning the ILO and ILO Conventions can be found at ͗http://www.ILO.org͘.…”

Section: Labor Standards Defined: Rights Outcomes Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 However, with the onset of the industrial revolution, social activists began advocating labor protections that might mitigate the more brutal aspects of industrialization. Engerman (2001) marks the beginning of the modern labor rights movement with the English Factory Act of 1802. This act regulated the working conditions of pauper apprentices by establishing a twelvehour day, prohibiting night work and providing for basic academic and religious training.…”

Section: Labor Standards Defined: Rights Outcomes Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Labor Standards: Where Do They Belong on the International Trade Agenda?

Brown

2001

Journal of Economic Perspectives

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During the past decade, universal labor standards have become the focus of intense debate. Advocates argue from humanitarian concerns and the interests of industrialized-country labor, seeking enforcement with WTO sanctions. Opponents regard labor regulation as a matter of national sovereignty, challenge the effectiveness of trade sanctions, and prefer the ILO emphasis on dialogue, monitoring and technical advice. This paper analyzes the labor standards debate, with specific attention to the analytical underpinnings of universal rules; evidence linking weak labor protections in developing countries to industrialized country wages; and the role of labor standards in WTO negotiations.

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The History and Political Economy of International Labor Standards

Cited by 22 publications

References 32 publications

Good for the Goose, Bad for the Gander: International Labor Standards and Comparative Development

Good for the Goose, Bad for the Gander: International Labor Standards and Comparative Development

Labor Standards and Economic Integration in the European Union: an Empirical Analysis

Labor Standards: Where Do They Belong on the International Trade Agenda?

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