The development of collective bargaining in China: From collective bargaining by riot to party state-led wage bargaining

Chris King Chi Chan, Elaine Sio Ieng Hui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

120 Scopus citations

Abstract

2010 was a turbulent year for labour relations in China. The wave of strikes sparked by the Honda workers has highlighted the urgent need for trade union reform and workplace collective bargaining. In response to this turbulence, the Chinese government has stepped up efforts to promote the practice of collective bargaining, which had been neglected under the existing "individual rights-based" labour regulatory framework. In the midst of rapid social and policy changes, this article aims to examine the effect of labour strikes on the development of collective bargaining in China. The authors argue that, driven by growing labour protests, the collective negotiation process in China is undergoing a transition, from c"ollective consultation as a formality," through a stage of "collective bargaining by riot," and towards "party state-led collective bargaining." This transition, however, is unlikely to reach the stage of worker-led collective bargaining in the near future.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)221-242
Number of pages22
JournalChina Quarterly
Issue number217
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Development
  • Political Science and International Relations

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