Papers and Briefs
2020
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ILO Working paper 3
Digital manufacturing revolutions as political projects and hypes: evidences from the auto sector
27 April 2020
The article analyses the evolution of automotive manufacturing technologies and organisations and assesses the impact of “fourth industrial revolution” concepts and policies (in Germany, US and China) in particular for employment and work.
2011
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International Labour Review, Vol. 150 (2011), No. 1–2
Labour market transition, income inequality and economic growth in China
18 July 2011
After “opening up” in 1978, China followed a development strategy that has led to internal and external economic imbalances, especially since its labour market reform of the mid-1990s and the resulting surge in rural-to-urban migration. Low labour costs emerged as its main comparative advantage, but its over-reliance on exports for growth was starkly exposed by the global economic crisis of 2008. This, coupled with widening income disparities, could jeopardize the sustainability of China's growth unless it adjusts its reform and development strategies to promote income equality and domestic consumption. The Employment Contract Law in force since 2008 could signal institutional change in the right direction.