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Labour inspection in contemporary China: Like the Anglo-Saxon model, but different

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  • Wenjia ZHUANG
  • Kinglun NGOK

Abstract

The authors examine the lack of enforcement of China's increasing body of labour legislation, showing how, since the 1980s, the country's labour inspection system has evolved into a system resembling the Anglo-Saxon model – characterized by fragmentation and reactive regulatory practices – but with highly selective and non-coercive state enforcement. This “hybrid” labour inspection model stems from the combination of neoliberal reforms with the Leninist legacy of the authoritarian regime. More effective enforcement of labour law would, the authors suggest, require greater tripartite cooperation and social dialogue in the regulatory process, and the involvement of an independently organized industrial labour force.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjia ZHUANG & Kinglun NGOK, 2014. "Labour inspection in contemporary China: Like the Anglo-Saxon model, but different," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 153(4), pages 561-585, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:intlab:v:153:y:2014:i:4:p:561-585
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2014.00216.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deakin, Simon & Wilkinson, Frank, 2005. "The Law of the Labour Market: Industrialization, Employment, and Legal Evolution," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198152811.
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    4. Roberto PIRES, 2008. "Promoting sustainable compliance: Styles of labour inspection and compliance outcomes in Brazil," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 147(2-3), pages 199-229, June.
    5. Amengual, Matthew, 2010. "Complementary Labor Regulation: The Uncoordinated Combination of State and Private Regulators in the Dominican Republic," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 405-414, March.
    6. John WHALLEY & Chunbing XING, 2014. "The regional distribution of skill premia in urban China: Implications for growth and inequality," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 153(3), pages 395-419, September.
    7. David WEIL, 2008. "A strategic approach to labour inspection," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 147(4), pages 349-375, December.
    8. Li, Hongbin & Zhou, Li-An, 2005. "Political turnover and economic performance: the incentive role of personnel control in China," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(9-10), pages 1743-1762, September.
    9. Michael J. PIORE & Andrew SCHRANK, 2008. "Toward managed flexibility: The revival of labour inspection in the Latin world," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 147(1), pages 1-23, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ronconi, Lucas & Raphael, Steven, 2024. "Measuring Effective Labor Regulation in the Less Developed World: Recent Advances and Challenges Ahead," IZA Policy Papers 210, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Cheng, Zhiming, 2022. "Communist Party branch and labour rights: Evidence from Chinese entrepreneurs," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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