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Labour and Wages in China: changing dynamics

This presentation by Paul Bowles, Professor of Economics at the University of Northern British Columbia, examines the evolving landscape of labour and wages in China, highlighting significant challenges such as high wage inequality, limited worker protections, and the absence of independent trade unions. The discussion addresses the impact of state and market dynamics on labour growth, the rise of private sectors, and the treatment of migrant workers. Bowles also proposes recommendations for Canadian engagement with Chinese labour issues, stressing the need for dialogue and labour-friendly trade agreements.

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Labour and Wages in China: changing dynamics

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  1. Labour and Wages in China:changing dynamics Paul Bowles Professor of Economics and International Studies University of Northern British Columbia Presentation to Group of 78 Ottawa, September 28, 2013

  2. High levels of wage inequality • Little protection for workers • No independent Trade Unions or autonomous labour organizations • Toxic combination of state and market

  3. Labour and China’s growth path • High investment, low share of private consumption • State sector layoffs (xiagang) • Growth of private sector and quasi-private sectors • Migrant workers, gender, and rural-urban mobility • Facilitated by local governments in sending and receiving locations

  4. Lewisian labour surplus transfer as key component of growth • East Asian authoritarian developmental state

  5. Changing dynamics • Market-led • End of the labour surplus and rising wages in coastal areas • Technological up-grading in coastal areas • Firms migrating inland • State-led • The leadership’s Polanyian dilemma • The new Labour Contract Law 2008 • Legal channels and dispute resolution • Local cadre advancement and public order • Changing treatment of migrant workers

  6. Worker-led • Strikes and suicides • Second-generation migrant workers • Representation through ACFTU

  7. A new development path? • Domestic demand/wage-led growth • Imprecise concept • Objective through at least past three FYPs • No sign of success; why? • Economic obstacles: propensities and elasticities in key relationships • Political obstacles: state-industry-finance nexus

  8. What should Canada do? • Neither hectoring on nor ignoring labour rights • Dialogue, bargaining and demonstration effects • Dialogue: government and TUs? And businesses in Canada • Bargaining: What does China want?

  9. Demonstration effects • Domestic demand/wage led growth? Export-led in Germany, finance-led in U.S.? Austerity? International architecture reform • Core labour standards and trade • WTO, TPP • Bilateral agreements (e.g. Colombia) • Labour-friendly trade agreements

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