This book been one of our most sought after
publications and as a result we are planning for a second edition very soon. During this time, the present edition is available as a free download to all our readers. This book seeks to understand the nature of corporate codes of conduct and utilise them in improving working conditions of millions of workers in Asia. The introductory chapters introduce us to the basic concepts surrounding codes of conduct, bringing together information on existing codes of conduct as well as a brief history of their development. This is followed by papers by Apo Leong, Monina Wong and Junya Yimprasert, which describes both the utility and the limits of corporate codes of conduct in improving working conditions, based on the authors' varied experiences in critically utilising corporate codes of conduct. In the last chapter, Dae-oup Chang explores the rather intrinsic limits of codes of conduct, and tries to identify conditions on which we can engage with TNC's on codes, rather than falling back into the myths that have been created surrounding them.
(Chinese version of this publication is for sale,)
For too long, the powers that be have gotten away with it. Giant transnational corporations as well as medium-scale, locally owned enterprises have for too long neglected the issue of occupational safety on the ground that to invest in health and safety would be too heavy a financial burden.
How long more do workers, and in particular women, have to subsidise the profits of corporations with their health and lives? No longer should be the answer. The right to work safely is part of the right to health. If corporations are to profit from women’s work, it is incumbent upon them to provide safe and healthy working conditions. It is therefore imperative for women workers’ groups and trade unions to develop a worker-driven Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) strategy. Such a strategy will of course require substantive information on women’s OHS concerns.
Working for Life provides an introduction to some of the complexities of the issue of Occupational Health and Safety. Some of the topics discussed in the book include OHS regulations, occupational issues of specific interest to women, industry based hazards and personal protection and hygiene at work. It is hoped that the “how-to” approach of this manual will enable women workers and trade union organisers to develop action-oriented strategies based on the realities in their own workplace.
China is one step closer to WTO membership after an agreement was signed with the EU in May this year. Most attention however is focused on the economic benefits for governments and multinationals, and as a result the costs to human development seems to have been downplayed.
The Asia Pacific Workers' Exchange Practitioners Workshop titled Workers' Education in the 21st Century was held in Macao from 21-23rd September 2003. The proceedings of the workshop can be downloaded in pdf format here...
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