How do countries that compete on low labour costs react to international economic incentives to reduce restrictions on organised labour?
Audio file
Bangladesh and Vietnam have both received international economic incentives to reduce restrictions on organised labour. Crucially, we are able to assess the impact of these incentives because they were subsequently removed. In this VoxDev Talk, Alice Evans of King's College London discusses two country case studies which both show the positive impact that international economic incentives can have in promoting reform on organised labour. Importantly, they also demonstrate how the removal of such incentives can lead to a subsequent increase in restrictions on organised labour. Governments in developed countries should explore corporate accountability legislation if we want to improve labour standards in countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Editors' note: This VoxDev Talk is part of our series on labour rights.