How bad is globalization for labour standards in the north?

Arbeitspapier

We analyse a world consisting of 'the North' and 'the South' where labour standards in the North are set by trade unions. Standards set by unions tend to increase output and welfare. There are no unions in the South and work standards are suboptimal. Trade between these two countries can imply a reduction in work standards in the North. Moreover, when trade unions are established in the South, the North, including northern unions, tend to lose out. Quantitatively, these effects are small and overcompensated for by gains in the South. The existing empirical literature tends to support our findings.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: W.E.P. - Würzburg Economic Papers ; No. 84

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects ; Labor Standards: Working Conditions ; Trade and Labor Market Interactions ; International Investment; Long-term Capital Movements
• Subject: Occupational health and safety ; trade unions ; international trade ; welfare

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Donado, Alejandro ; Wälde, Klaus
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Würzburg, Department of Economics
• (where): Würzburg
• (when): 2010

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/48559
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET