China: special report

In the world's most populous nation, the majority of people still endure 'back-breaking labour in the fields', a world away from the astonishing urban development now taking place along China's coast. As the economy opens its borders to foreign investment, multinational corporations, partnered with state companies, are competing for shares in a rapidly developing domestic market and at the same time are building vast low cost production facilities for the global export trade.

The attraction for international capital is undoubtedly tied-up with China's low labour costs, and some workers are clearly suffering as a consequence of the dramatic changes taking place. But several of IUR's contributors argue that the investment is also bringing clear advantages for at least some Chinese workers.

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Labour rights violations

Whatever we may say about the need for jobs and development in China, a real issue arises in relation to the question of freedom of association and the protection of core labour standards. China has ratified neither of the key ILO conventions on freedom of association (Conventions 87 and 98), and frequently stands accused of violating trade union rights, particularly around the formation of independent trade unions (dozens of labour activists have been sentenced to lengthy periods of detention). There is clear evidence of a sustained failure to respect these principles by China, particularly around the issue of the autonomy of the trade union movement.

While some in the trade union movement argue that an appropriate response is to engage in a process of dialogue and exchange with the Chinese unions - or even to 'reclaim the ACFTU from below' - many others believe that any formal interaction with the Chinese unions merely serves the system in power.

ICTUR and IUR journal pull together these diverse opinions to help trade unionists understand the issues more fully and to promote informed debate.

China: resources and reference

The history and development of trade unionism in China is discussed briefly in the latest edition of the reference book, Trade unions of the world. Read China's entry here.

Katie Quan's article, unions need to talk, appeared in an edited form in IUR 11.4. Read the full version here.

The official trade union confederation ACFTU offers a regular English language newsletter / bulletin, information about Chinese union structures, reports from the most recent ACFTU Congress, and a series of briefings on issues such as the labour law and international relations. See www.acftu.org.cn/index2.html

Chonqing-based lawyer Zhou Litai has won an international reputation for his work to prosecute claims on behalf of workers who have suffered industrial injuries. Litai has clearly irked the authorities, who have threatened to shut down his practice in the past, but he dismisses these threats as having 'no basis in law'. Visit www.zhuolitai.com/english/index2.html.

China Labour Bulletin no longer appears in print format but this excellent online resource provides research, up to the minute news and labour commentary. CLB is at www.china-labour.org.hk/iso/

The website of New York-based China Labor Watch is daunting in scale, but thorough investigation reveals some detailed reports and strong news coverage, although readers should be aware that some sections carry headline news reports from 3-4 years ago. See www.chinalaborwatch.org

The ICFTU and the Global Unions run a liaison office in Hong Kong. The new and detailed report Chinese Labour and the WTO produced by this office is highly recommended reading. The 59-page report examines unemployment, labour disputes, signs of change in the ACFTU and more. It is available for download from www.ihlo.org.