ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that the extent of militancy in new unionism was markedly similar, and asks, ‘Why?’ Attention is drawn to the perceived and real complacency of the mainstream unions in countries, the contradictions of democracy and neoliberalism, and the embeddedness of industrial relationships within the broader social and political orders. It discusses how the new (and more militant) unions operate outside the legally protected civil society domain through the case studies of ready made garment industry in Nepal and the platinum belt in South Africa. Following the new labour militancy at the turn of this century, which splintered existing unions, a synthesizing trajectory is emerging in both Nepal and South Africa. The chapter argues that the new labour militancy triggered by a third wave of marketization gained counter-legitimacy by targeting mainstream unions and by forging broader alliances that go beyond the immediate calls of collective bargaining.
