Indian labour in the globalised world: Problems and prospects

Abstract

The effect of globalisation and liberalisation policies on labour has not yielded positive results and has further worsened their position. The globalisation policy along with its institution World Trade Organisation (WTO) are in the process of promoting the interests of the capitalists and the developed north rather than the labour class and the developing and under-developed countries. The paper analyses the role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) vis-à-vis the WTO. The paper examines the role of India and the labour position in the colonial period and also India's contribution to the ILO during its initial period of formation. The paper focuses on how the labour position has further deteriorated with the implementation of the globalisation policy. The paper discusses some empirical government findings in the State of Orissa on how labour is exploited and some of its problems and constraints. The paper concludes that the globalisation policy has not been successful in bringing the desired positive results for the labour class in Orissa and that the WTO is no substitute for the ILO.

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