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Enforcing workers’ compensation rights for Chinese seafarers in human resource supply chains

Author

Listed:
  • Desai Shan

    (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)

  • Pengfei Zhang

    (Solent University, UK)

Abstract

Non-compliance with labour standards impedes enforcement of workers’ rights in human resource supply chains. Despite governments’ efforts to improve labour standards and encourage employer-centred voluntary compliance programmes, infringements of workers’ rights are widely reported. Using a qualitative socio-legal study of Chinese seafarers’ workers’ compensation rights, we investigate whether shipping companies and their crewing agencies comply with their legal obligations following workplace injuries and fatalities. Through 74 semi-structured interviews and analysis of crew management policies from 7 shipping companies, we identify a failure of most shipowners’ internal policies to comply with legal obligations. Furthermore, multinational shipping companies use crewing agencies to evade their liabilities to injured seafarers. We propose the establishment of a joint liability mechanism between employers and labour intermediaries to fill this compliance gap that exists in global human resource supply chains. JEL Codes: J81, J83, L91, M54, N75

Suggested Citation

  • Desai Shan & Pengfei Zhang, 2021. "Enforcing workers’ compensation rights for Chinese seafarers in human resource supply chains," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 32(2), pages 247-265, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecolab:v:32:y:2021:i:2:p:247-265
    DOI: 10.1177/1035304620962724
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Walters & Nick Bailey, 2013. "Lives in Peril," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-137-35729-8.
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    4. Luc Fransen & Brian Burgoon & Mark Anner, 2017. "Monitoring Workers’ Rights: The Limits of Voluntary Social Compliance Initiatives in Labor Repressive Regimes," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 8, pages 56-65, May.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human resource supply chain; labour supply chain; regulatory compliance; seafarers; workers’ compensation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • J83 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Workers' Rights
    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management
    • N75 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Asia including Middle East

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