Books and reports

The Global Crisis. Causes, responses and challenges

13 June 2011

This important collection of essays brings together the main findings of ILO research since the start of the global financial and economic crisis in 2008. With contributions from diverse research disciplines, the volume provides new perspectives on employment and income-led growth and the role of regulation, and makes policy recommendations for the future.

Trade and Employment in the Global Crisis

07 July 2010

In many low- and middle-income countries, the global financial crisis has led to significant losses of jobs and pressures on real wages. Based on the findings of ILO-sponsored country studies of employment impacts, this book analyses how cross-border trade has acted as a transmission channel, spreading the crisis to developing states. Key topics covered include how changes in trade flows affect the labour market, the role of price volatility and demand shocks in the recent crisis and how export concentration makes countries more vulnerable. This title is co-published with Academic Foundation.

Cross-border social dialogue and agreements: An emerging global industrial relations framework?

12 May 2008

The book examines various facets of international framework agreements (IFAs), as one of numerous private initiatives that have emerged in the absence of a state-driven multilateral framework, in view of organising a common labour relations framework at cross-border level. It also addresses relevant issues such as the possibility of cross-border solidarity action as a complement to cross-border dialogue. The title is longer available in print format but is available full text on-line using the link below.

Trade and employment: Challenges for policy research

19 February 2007

This study provides an impartial view of what can be said, on the relationship between trade and employment, an often contentious issue of public debate. Its focus is on the connections between trade policies, and labour and social policies. It is the outcome of collaborative research between the secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Labour Office (ILO), addressing such issues tha concern both organizations.

Export processing zones in Bangladesh: Economic impact and social issues (MULTI 80)

22 April 1998

Multinational Enterprises Programme, Working Paper No. 81 . Examines the structural features and operational characteristics of the two EPZs, as well as their socio-economic consequences for the host country. The data analysed in this respect relate to the period covering the inception of the two EPZs, up to 1996 - Chittagong EPZ (1983 to 1996) and Dhaka EPZ (1993 to 1996).