Trade Unions in China: The Dynamics of Labour Relations and State-ancillary Unionism in Transition

Brown, William; Cao, Xuebing

Abstract

This chapter reviews the background and organisation of Chinese trade unions, their role in worker participation, rights protection and mobilisation, and their relationships with employers and the state. The analysis in the chapter reiterates the essence of the state-ancillary framework in providing an enhanced understanding of the trade union movement in contemporary China. As a part of the government apparatus, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) has been deeply dependent on and subordinated to the Party-state. On the other hand, despite the institutional barriers and the unions’ limited function in representing and mobilising workers, it is important to stress that the ACFTU has been trying to improve the function and influence of workplace union organisations. These pragmatic activities, particularly the attempts to develop new collective wage consultation tactics, play a positive role in helping build trust with members and improve workers’ welfare and general well-being.

Citation

Brown, W., & Cao, X. (2023). Trade Unions in China: The Dynamics of Labour Relations and State-ancillary Unionism in Transition. In Routledge Handbook of Chinese Business and Management. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429448935-13

• Online Publication Date: Sep 29, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 29, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2024
• Book Title: Routledge Handbook of Chinese Business and Management
• Chapter Number: 9
• ISBN: 9781138328037
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429448935-13
• Publisher URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429448935-13/trade-unions-china-william-brown-xuebing-cao?context=ubx&refId=39d3c8d0-2b2e-4a16-94f9-8ef67e137ea5
• Related Public URLs: https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbook-of-Chinese-Business-and-Management/Nolan-Shuming-Kamoche/p/book/9781138328037