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The impact of ILO conventions on worker rights: Are empty promises worse than no promises?

Author

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  • Dursun Peksen

    (University of Memphis)

  • Robert G. Blanton

    (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Abstract

What effect does the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions have on labor rights? Despite the prominent role of ILO conventions in establishing international labor standards, surprisingly little is known about whether these conventions have any significant effect on the rights they seek to improve. This article provides a comprehensive assessment of the possible impact that seven fundamental ILO conventions have on labor rights in ratifying countries. Results from the data analysis for the period 1981–2011 suggest that the ratification of core ILO conventions is negatively associated with the level of respect for worker rights. One major implication of our findings is that while the adoption of core ILO conventions is crucial in recognizing primary rights of workers, they might paradoxically serve to undercut those rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Dursun Peksen & Robert G. Blanton, 2017. "The impact of ILO conventions on worker rights: Are empty promises worse than no promises?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 75-94, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:revint:v:12:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11558-015-9241-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11558-015-9241-9
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    Cited by:

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    2. Faradj Koliev & Thomas Sommerer & Jonas Tallberg, 2021. "Compliance without coercion: Effects of reporting on international labor rights," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 58(3), pages 494-509, May.
    3. Robert G Blanton & Shannon Lindsey Blanton & Dursun Peksen, 2020. "Confronting human trafficking: The role of state capacity," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 37(4), pages 471-489, July.
    4. Keonhi SON, 2023. "Do international treaties have an impact only on ratifying States? The influence of the ILO Maternity Protection Conventions in 160 countries between 1883 and 2018," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 162(2), pages 245-269, June.
    5. Luca Messerschmidt & Nicole Janz, 2020. "Unravelling the 'race to the bottom' argument: How does FDI affect different types of labour rights?," Munich Papers in Political Economy 05, Munich School of Politics and Public Policy and the School of Management at the Technical University of Munich.
    6. Sara Kahn-Nisser, 2019. "When the targets are members and donors: Analyzing inter-governmental organizations’ human rights shaming," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 431-451, September.
    7. Zhanna Khamzina & Yermek Buribayev & Binur Taitorina & Ainur Yessengazieva & Anarkhan Kuttygalieva, 2022. "Towards Nondiscrimination and Gender Equality: The Role of International Labor Standards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, April.
    8. Mathias Koenig‐Archibugi, 2017. "Does transnational private governance reduce or displace labor abuses? Addressing sorting dynamics across global supply chains," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), pages 343-352, December.
    9. Koenig-Archibugi, Mathias, 2017. "Does transnational private governance reduce or displace labor abuses? Addressing sorting dynamics across global supply chains," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 83517, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    10. Guasti, Alessandro & Koenig-Archibugi, Mathias, 2022. "Has global trade competition really led to a race to the bottom in labor standards?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 113752, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    11. Fangjin Ye, 2020. "The impact of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) on collective labor rights in developing countries," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 899-921, October.

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