NYT: China Drafts Law to Boost Unions and End Abuse

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/13/business/worldbusiness/13sweat.html?_r=2&fta=y&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

By DAVID BARBOZA
Published: October 13, 2006

SHANGHAI, Oct. 12 — China is planning to adopt a new law that seeks to crack down on sweatshops and protect workers’ rights by giving labor unions real power for the first time since it introduced market forces in the 1980’s.

The move, which underscores the government’s growing concern about the widening income gap and threats of social unrest, is setting off a battle with American and other foreign corporations that have lobbied against it by hinting that they may build fewer factories here.


Ryan Pyle for The New York Times

Liu Cheng, a professor who is advising the government, says the new law will hold companies accountable.


The proposed rules are being considered after the Chinese Communist Party endorsed a new doctrine that will put greater emphasis on tackling the severe side effects of the country’s remarkable growth.

Whether the foreign corporations will follow through on their warnings is unclear because of the many advantages of being in China — even with restrictions and higher costs that may stem from the new law. It could go into effect as early as next May.

It would apply to all companies in China, but its emphasis is on foreign-owned companies and the suppliers to those companies.

The conflict with the foreign corporations is significant partly because it comes at a time when labor, energy and land costs are rising in this country, all indications that doing business in China is likely to get much more expensive in the coming years.

FULL story at link.

[Critters2]

1. The US Chamber of Commerce

is NOT going to like this!!!