What Future for Chinese Labour and Transnational Solidarity?

Abstract

In this article 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 All-China Federation of Trade Unions, 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.

Keywords:

• ACFTU
• Chinese workers
• class struggle
• informal labour NGOs
• sources of power

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andreas Bieler

Andreas Bieler is Professor of Political Economy and Fellow of the Centre for the Study of Social and Global Justice (CSSGJ) in the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham, UK. He is author of The struggle for a social Europe: Trade unions and EMU in times of global restructuring (Manchester University Press, 2006) and co-editor (with Bruno Ciccaglione, Ingemar Lindberg and John Hilary) of Free trade and transnational labour (Routledge, 2015). His personal website is http://andreasbieler.net and he maintains a blog on trade unions and global restructuring at http://andreasbieler.blogspot.co.uk.

Chun-Yi Lee

Chun-Yi Lee is Lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham/UK. She is author of Taiwanese business or Chinese security asset? (Routledge, 2012). Chun-Yi’s constant involvement in research testifies to her enthusiasm for and commitment to the field of Chinese Studies, International Relations and Political Economy. Her PhD addresses the changing pattern of interaction between Taiwanese businessmen and the Chinese government. Building on her PhD, currently Chun-Yi’s research interest aims to investigate the influence of different foreign investors on Chinese workers and labour rights.