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Employer-initiated collective bargaining: a case study of the Chinese sweater industry

Xiaoyi Wen (Department of Labour Relations, China Institute of Industrial Relations, Beijing, China.)

Employee Relations

ISSN: 0142-5455

Article publication date: 8 February 2016

1038

Abstract

Purpose

Collective bargaining (CB) in China is perceived as inadequate, thanks to the lack of trade union independence and representation. However, CB of the sweater industry in Wenling, one of the world’s largest manufacturing centre, shows another tendency. Using Wenling as the case, the purpose of this paper is to explore whether a new form of CB is emerging in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative case study approach, and covers stakeholders, including the government, trade union, sweater association, workers and employers.

Findings

In China, trade unions are constrained by corporatism and therefore cannot become the effective agents of CB. However, the increased industrial conflicts could in effect push employers to become the engine of change. This paper finds that employers endeavour to use CB as a tool to stabilise employment relations and neutralise workers resistance. Consequently, a gradual transition in labour relations system is on the way, characterised by “disorderly resistance” to “orderly compliance” in the working class.

Research limitations/implications

The case industry may not be sufficient in drawing the details of CB in China, while it provides the trend of change.

Originality/value

Conventional wisdom on the Chinese labour relations and CB tends to ignore the employer’s perspective. This paper partially fills in the gap by offering CB and change of employment relations from the aspect of employers.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper receives a grant of Multiple Participation Mechanism of Labour Relations Adjustment (Project No. 12CSH046) from National Social Sciences Fund of China.

Citation

Wen, X. (2016), "Employer-initiated collective bargaining: a case study of the Chinese sweater industry", Employee Relations, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 267-285. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-05-2013-0055

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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