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The Adoption of International Labor Standards Conventions: Who, What, and Why?

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  • Chau, Nancy H.
  • Kanbur, Ravi

Abstract

The rati¯cation of ILO Labor Standards Conventions is a key explanatory variable in the empirical literature linking labor standards to economic performance. The assumption is that rati¯cation gives information on labor standards implemented in a country. This paper investigates the determinants of rati¯cation directly and, indirectly, the determinants of labor standards. We ¯nd considerable variation across di®erent Conventions, and across developing and developed countries. But there are some systematic and interesting patterns. While economic variables such as real per capita income do not explain rati¯cation, legal systems do. Most interestingly, for some Conventions, even after controlling for basic economic characteristics and domestic legal institutions, we ¯nd that peer e®ects are in play { the probability of adopting an international standard depends on how many other countries in a peer group have already adopted that standard.

Suggested Citation

  • Chau, Nancy H. & Kanbur, Ravi, 2001. "The Adoption of International Labor Standards Conventions: Who, What, and Why?," Working Papers 127654, Cornell University, Department of Applied Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:cudawp:127654
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.127654
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kaushik Basu, 1999. "International Labor Standards and Child Labor," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(5), pages 80-93, September.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. World Bank, 2012. "World Development Report 2013 [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2013]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 11843, December.
    2. Rémi Bazillier & Nicolas Sirven, 2006. "Les normes fondamentales du travail contribuent-elles à réduire les inégalités ?," Revue Française d'Économie, Programme National Persée, vol. 21(2), pages 111-146.
    3. Remi Bazillier & Nicolas Sirven, 2008. "Is There a Social Kuznets Curve? The Influence of Labour Standards on Inequality," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(7), pages 913-934.
    4. 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.
    5. Laixun Zhao, 2009. "International Labour Standards and North–South Competition," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 1091-1114, July.
    6. Varun Gauri, 2011. "The cost of complying with human rights treaties: The convention on the rights of the child and basic immunization," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 33-56, March.
    7. 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.
    8. Stephen DeLoach & Jayoti Das & Lindsey Conley, 2006. "Power Politics and International Labor Standards," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 12(1), pages 51-66, February.
    9. Boockmann, Bernhard, 2010. "The Effect of ILO Minimum Age Conventions on Child Labor and School Attendance: Evidence From Aggregate and Individual-Level Data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 679-692, May.
    10. Enrico Bertacchini & Claudia Liuzza & Lynn Meskell & Donatella Saccone, 2016. "The politicization of UNESCO World Heritage decision making," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 167(1), pages 95-129, April.
    11. Tekin AKGEYİK, 2019. "ILO Sözleşmelerinin Onaylanmasını Etkileyen Faktörler (Afrika ve Ortadoğu Ülkeleri Üzerine Ampirik Bir Araştırma)," Journal of Social Policy Conferences, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 0(77), pages 131-156, December.
    12. Neumayer, Eric & Soysa, Indra de, 2006. "Globalization and the Right to Free Association and Collective Bargaining: An Empirical Analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 31-49, January.
    13. Konstantinos, Pouliakas & Ioannis, Theodossiou, 2010. "An Inquiry Into the Theory, Causes and Consequences of Monitoring Indicators of Health and Safety At Work," MPRA Paper 20336, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Schrank, Andrew & Piore, Michael J., 2007. "Norms, regulations and labor standards in Central America," Estudios y Perspectivas – Sede Subregional de la CEPAL en México 5002, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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