Labour in China

Paper Type:  Essay
Pages:  4
Wordcount:  853 Words
Date:  2021-03-06
Categories: 

Since the ending of the socialist economy in China about thirty-five years ago, Chinese workers are viewed as a source of low-cost and compliant labour for the foreign investors. Although, there are quite some notable changes that are taking place in the country concerning labour. The minimum wage is currently at an average of $200 per month and higher than many of the neighboring countries. Also, the attitude of Chinese worker has periodically changed, and they are no longer tolerating any low wages. Workers have started organizing labour groups to ensure their rights are upheld. Labour activists in China have engaged in demonstrations to fight for reasonable pay and better treatment of workers. In some regions, they have generated new forms of labour relations including the election of worksite union leaders and collective bargaining.

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The labour developments may have significant implications for the working fraternity all over the globe as many workers may follow suit. The labour market institutions will therefore undoubtedly have a substantial impact on the entire global economy. Chinese workers could play a fundamental role in the American labour considerations to strengthen these labour movements. Over the past decades, the labour institutions have spearheaded several research and education projects to enhance the collaboration between the Chinese and American workers. The main objective of these movements in China is to shield the Chinese workers against the incredible odds in their workstations. Despite that the Chinese government has banned the independent organizing of trade and labour unions, millions of workers have joined forces to stage strikes. They complain that the institution mandated with the responsibility of defending their rights has become dormant or sidelined in recent industrial actions.

The workers in China often organize unions without any assistance from the main institution (China Federation of Trade Unions). The institution is the largest trade union in the world and was founded in the year 1925. However, the workers in China do not get any aid from the institution forcing them to depend on the non-governmental organizations. The developing movement in the country motivates the workers to strengthen the fight for their rights. The ACFTU (China Federation of Trade Unions) branches are compulsory and have an automatic union membership in numerous companies. Despite that many branches exist without the knowledge of the workers, the institution (ACFTU) is still able to inflate its membership. Therefore, the members of the body do not exercise any democratic control over the ACFTU affiliates. ACFTU functions as an extension of the Chinese government which appoints the union's panel. The provincial and municipal leaders often retain their state positions in a simultaneous manner.

According to the article (Chinese New Year: Why many will travel home for good), it is quite clear that many workers have moved to China since they wage increase. The population will increase at a high rate as a result of this as the people shift attention to China to explore the employment opportunities. However, in my perspective, I think that these workers will have a difficult time in maintaining the fights for their rights since the government dictates the premier institution. Hence, their efforts will often get sabotaged as the ACFTU camouflaged itself through the existence of its branches to lure workers. The emigration points such as the ports and railway stations are congested by the large numbers of people checking into the state in search of jobs.

Numerous migrant workers with the Chinese origin travel back to their home country with the aim of searching employment. The main concern is that China's industrial landscape is adversely changing at a fast rate. The majority of the companies in China are relocating to other countries to source for available cheap labour hence decreasing the rate of employment opportunities for the large statistics. According to the C.E.Os, they experience a decreasing demand for their goods hence maintaining their production line has become almost impossible. The high wages have increased the production cost making it difficult to compete against their competitors in the market.

In the year 2010, Honda auto part suppliers were faced with a big strike resulting in an indefinite closure of its four plants in China after about two thousand workers went on strike in demands for better pay, better working conditions, and a union election. The event was followed by a series of many other strikes in the neighboring companies. Such events have made investors shy from venturing into the state for fear of expensive production costs.

It is shocking that some workers would go to an extent of committing suicide in protest of little pay. For instance, Foxconn in 2010, more than a dozen workers attempted to take their lives by jumping off from their dormitories. If these issues are not resolved urgently and a permanent solution executed, there will be an adverse effect on the Chinese economy and the world in general. Therefore, it is important that ruling governments ensure workers rights are upheld to provide a conducive business environment to attract more potential investors.

Reference

Chinese New Year. Why many will travel home for good-BBC news. (n.d.). http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35488857

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Labour in China. (2021, Mar 06). Retrieved from https://proessays.net/essays/labour-in-china

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