International Labor Standards

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of lowering labour standards in the belief that this could give them a greater comparative advantage in international trade. In the long run such practices do not benefit anyone. Lowering labour standards can encourage the spread of low-wage, low-skill, and high-turnover industries and prevent a country from developing more stable high-skilled employment, while at the same time making it more difficult for trading partners to develop their economies upwards. We should always be prepared. A safety net in times of economic crisis- an ILO study concluded that strengthening social dialogue, freedom of association, and social protection systems in the region would provide better safeguards against such economic downturns. (www.ilo.org)

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of the international labor standards is how they affect the poor, the poverty issue still has not been resolved because the only thing they have is a strategy. It seems like poverty has only been discussed but no one has figured out how to eliminate it. There are so many people living in poverty all over the world so why can’t anyone figure out how to fix it. “Instead of looking for ways to make the labor market less efficient, which international standards would certainly do, we have to look for the specific institutional mechanisms by which opportunities are restricted. A growing body of evidence suggests that economic freedom is essential to growth” (Carden, A and Hall, J). Many believe that the international labor standards hurt poor people because they restrict their options and opportunities. For example, we may consider child labor to be bad because children should be at school rather than working in a plant or field, however, in some countries their income level may make it necessary for their children to work instead of going to school. It all goes back to the labor standards being restrictive instead of encouraging economic growth.

There are more advantages than disadvantages when it comes to the labor standards. Structure is very important to have when there are several different parties involved; everyone may not agree or feel like a certain standard pertains to their country but majority rules. There are some that believe the standards are not beneficial to everyone but can you image what it would be like without the standards.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that we need the international labor standards because they help provide comfort and some control over international situations, as well as provide structure. However, just like anything else in this world, they could stand to be improved. While the standards are meant for everyone, at times some of the standards have the tendency to cater to just one group of people. Many people believe that poor people are being affected the worst because of all of the restrictions. While everyone has valid points and concerns we all have to look at the bigger picture and see how the standards have been beneficial and helped us all at one point. Rules are made for a reason and we may not like them but I have learned when you follow them it makes things so much easier.

References

Carden, A and Hall, J. (September 28, 2009). Labor Standards or Liberty? In Ludwig von Mises

Institute. Retrieved on July 16, 2014, from http://mises.org/daily/3679.

N.A. (n.d.) The benefits of International labour standards. In International Labour Organization.

Retrieved on July 16, 2014, from http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/introduction-to-international-labour-standards/the-benefits-of-international-labour-standards/lang--en/index.htm.

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