What future for Chinese labour and transnational solidarity?

Bieler, Andreas; Lee, Chun-Yi

Abstract

In this conclusion we argue that class struggle is central to the future of Chinese workers and the improvement of their situation. Technological upgrading in itself will not automatically result in better working conditions. Moreover, we point out that Chinese workers have a number of old and new sources of power to draw on. What is, however, most problematic in this respect is the role of the ACFTU, operating as an official mediator rather than an independent trade union, and the resulting lack of associational power. Hence, informal labour NGOs have an important role to play in supporting social justice for China’s workers.

Citation

Bieler, A., & Lee, C.-Y. (in press). What future for Chinese labour and transnational solidarity?. Globalizations, https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2016.1207933

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 29, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Aug 17, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 17, 2016
• Journal: Globalizations
• Print ISSN: 1474-7731
• Electronic ISSN: 1474-774X
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2016.1207933
• Keywords: ACFTU, Chinese workers, class struggle, informal labour NGOs, sources of power.
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/805307
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14747731.2016.1207933
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Globalizations on 17 Aug 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14747731.2016.1207933.
• Contract Date: Jul 20, 2016