Abstract

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is not an effective force for raising labor standards in the developing world and could become considerably more effective by taking account of two of the most important and interrelated recent theoretical developments in understanding labor standards. First, countries derive no comparative advantage in the global trading system from most very low labor standards. The ILO should therefore concentrate its energies on lifting these, rather than (as it so often does) concentrating on labor standards that are a source of comparative advantage, the elimination of which is resisted strongly and effectively. Second, the tools of game theory may be used to identify the collective action problems that prevent countries from lifting their own labor standards, and create a role for a transnational agency that may assist them.

Recommended Citation

Hyde, Alan (2009) "The International Labor Organization in the Stag Hunt for Global Labor Rights," Law & Ethics of Human Rights: Vol. 3 : Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/lehr/vol3/iss2/art2

Academic Comments

Guy Davidov, Comment on Alan Hyde: The Perils of Economic Justifications for International Labor Standards (July 2009)