Collective bargaining

The way forward for trade unions and workers in China: A new research report from CLB

What does the ACFTU consider its role to be: Is it a defender of workers’ rights or a servant of the Chinese Communist Party and government? A new report from CLB explores the complex identity of China’s official trade union. Photo by SJ photography

ACFTU official’s reckless comments could endanger workers’ rights

The global economic crisis has prompted several Chinese officials to make short-sighted comments. However, none have been more damaging than ACFTU Vice-Chair Sun Chunlan’s claim that the union needs to guard against hostile forces infiltrating the ranks of migrant workers. Photo by Saad Akhtar.

Radio Free Asia: A Look at Labor Issues in China

China Labour Bulletin appears in the following article. Copyright remains with the original publisher. 2009-02-10 In a conversation with Executive Editor Dan Southerland in Hong Kong, RFA's on-air labor specialist Han Dongfang discusses a range of topics on China, including workers’ rights, corruption, and the Chinese media.

Wall Street Journal: China Journal - Labor Activist: Why China Needs Collective Bargaining Now

China Labour Bulletin appears in the following article. Copyright remains with the original publisher. February 4, 2009, 1:56 am

The challenges and opportunities for China’s workers in the Year of the Ox

The global economic crisis threatens to derail much of the progress made by China’s workers over the last few years. But as CLB Director Han Dongfang points out, the Labour Contract Law has not gone away, and workers understand now just how effective strike action can be. Photo by Saad Akhtar

Government proposals to speed up labour dispute arbitration lack clout

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is hoping to clear its ever-growing backlog of labour dispute cases by establishing a “green channel” for dispute resolution and a factory-level “early warning system” to prevent disputes from getting out of hand. However, the proposals, made at a national conference on labour dispute mediation and arbitration on 6 January, make no mention of additional financial or human resources, neither do they apparently see a major role for the trade union in dispute resolution.

Financial Times: Daunting Departure

China Labour Bulletin appears in the following article. Copyright remains with the original publisher.By Tom Mitchell Published: January 7 2009 19:53 | Last updated: January 7 2009 19:53

Wall Street Journal: China Faces Unrest as Economy Falters

China Labour Bulletin appears in the following article. Copyright remains with the original publisher. DECEMBER 21, 2008, 11:10 P.M. ET By Shai Oster CHAOZHOU, China -- As China's economy stalls, rising public unrest has bubbled up in a series of labor strikes across the country.

The state of the labour movement in China

CLB presents a detailed examination of the current struggle for workers’ rights in China at an international conference to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which opened in Paris on 4 December. Photo by Saad Akhtar.

Shenzhen labour regulations modified with some gains and some losses for workers

The Regulations on the Promotion of Harmonious Labour Relations in the Shenzhen SEZ, approved on 23 September 2008, contain some beneficial additions but some important clauses have been removed. Photo of Shenzhen factory workers by Chad Ingraham.

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