The seminar brought together a wide range of stakeholders from suppliers, international brands, NGOs, lawyers, academics and representatives from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.
A combination of economic growth in less developed parts of China, better educated workers, and strengthened employment laws has created an environment where workers are better equipped to improve their wages and working conditions. For a new generation of workers employment is also no longer the sole goal; they put more emphasis on life experience, career development and better work-life balance.
In this new context, workers have initiated strikes and protests in order to secure better wages and working conditions. The factory protests have led to a debate about developing a more formalised system of collective bargaining in order to improve worker-employer relations. This was one of the main issues discussed at the seminar. There are several ongoing pilot projects on collective bargaining in the region.
Business for Social Responsibility, Ethical Trading Initiative Norway and the Consulate General will continue to collaborate on labour issues in China.